Karachi: Zeba Hai Azher member Customs Operations-FBR agreed in principle that Pakistan needs to do away with upfront payments as Pakistan is signatory of TFA and Customs will look into matter in required detail to alleviate complaints and grievances.

On visit to FPCCI office she said that Customs wants to upgrade and modernise its policies and system in consultation with business community and also aims to capitalise on FPCCI's unique position to represent all sectors, industries, chambers and trade bodies under one-roof as apex body.

Irfan Iqbal Sheikh President FPCCI reiterated upon upfront payment system for import shipments by Pakistan Customs. He proposed it is high-time that Customs forms liaison committee with FPCCI and appoints focal persons to resolve issues promptly.

Suleman Chawla SVP FPCCI maintained, in addition to TFA, upfront payment system poses several other challenges for importers in Pakistan. Firstly, it imposes substantial financial burden particularly on small and medium-sized enterprises. Secondly, it causes delays in clearance of goods and lastly it undermines global competitiveness of Pakistani businesses.

Nadeem Qureshi VP FPCCI and Regional Chairman said Customs provision aims to streamline Customs procedures, reduce trade-related costs and minimise delays.

Shabbir Mansha VP FPCCI demanded all containers still stuck in Customs clearance due to huge and unprecedented backlog of last year, should be cleared immediately after receipt of taxes through financial instruments.

2. A. Jabbar VP FPCCI stressed traders are deeply concerned about extended dwell times of import shipments in Pakistan as according to World Bank's Logistics Performance Index, Pakistan's dwell time for imports stands at 5 days significantly surpassing global average of 2.6 days.

Saquib Fayyaz Maggo Convener of FPCCI's high-powered central standing committee on Customs made an observation that requirement for invoices inside shipping containers has failed to achieve any good and on other hand, has resulted in grievances from business, industry and trade community.

Khurram Ijaz advisor on FBR affairs to President FPCCI demanded validity of FBR's input/output co-efficient organisation certificate should be for one year as opposed to three months or six months.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 07 2023

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