KARACHI: The importers and other stakeholders have voiced concerns over what they described as “unfair” service charges being charged by the shipping companies and terminal operators.
They claimed that the shipping companies in collusion with terminal operators, were charging individually against the same services like examination charges, insurance, currency adjustment and transportation charges.
The importers regretted that all these charges were being charged by shipping companies and terminal operators individually at the same time.
Lambasting the performance of shipping companies, the importers said that the shipping lines charged thousands of rupees additionally in heads of different services including R&D charges, CFS, PCS, documentation, fuel adjustment, measurement charges and weighment/re-weighment charges.
They pointed out that the extra service charges being charged by the shipping lines were eventually included in the cost of imported goods and masses were the ultimate sufferers of any such unfair charges.
They demanded the Port and Shipping Minister and other authorities concerned to take notice of “what they called” unjustified act to provide relief to the importers and other stakeholders.
When contacted, All Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA) Chairman Capt Syed Mushtaq Ali Shah dispelled any such impression, saying that the shipping lines strictly adhered to notified service charges from the importers and other stakeholders.
