KARACHI: Importers have once again expressed deep concerns over significant decline in trade activities due to alleged discriminatory implementation of valuation guidelines.
The importers of Karachi, while sharing their views with Customs Today, said that the shifting of trade from Karachi port to dry ports in other cities is continued due to a significant difference in the customs values of the commodities.
They were of the view that the smuggling through Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) has increased due to the issuance of discriminatory valuation guidelines.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Customs has issued uniform customs values of around 240 items in order to streamline the clearance process. However; the importers and traders community have rejected those valuation rulings and moved to court in this regard.
It may be mentioned here that the Collectorate of MCC Appraisement-West has also submitted a Constitutional Miscellaneous Application (CMA) in Islamabad High Court (IHC) to protect their rights connection with the issuance of valuation guidelines.
