KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is set to implement the Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) system in Karachi, marking a significant step in the FBR's transformation plan approved by the prime minister.

Under the new system, all import goods declarations filed at the Appraisement Collectorates in Karachi after midnight will be assigned to the Central Appraising Unit (CAU) for assessment. This unit was recently established at the South Asia Pakistan Terminal in Karachi. The launch of FCA is expected to bring about notable changes in the functioning of the Customs department. It aims to streamline the trade process by reducing clearance times and enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the assessment process. The introduction of a faceless system eliminates direct human interaction, mitigating opportunities for corruption and improving the overall business environment.After the successful implementation of the first phase in Karachi, the FCA system will be extended to other ports and border stations across the country.

Additionally, the appraisement function of Customs will be relocated away from traditional Customs Collectorates to further improve efficiency. The FBR's move to introduce the FCA system is in line with global best practices and is expected to facilitate smoother trade and business operations in Pakistan.