LAHORE: Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) has complained that the ports and shipping lines authorities are not complying with the FBR direction to extend the free period for importers for another 15 days in view of the continued corona crisis in the country, due to which the chemical manufacturers are unable to lift their imported raw materials from the ports.
PCMA Secretary General Iqbal Kidwai has told Customs Today that the FBR, on behalf of the government of Pakistan had written a letter dated March 31, 2020 to all heads of ports and shipping lines advising that Pakistan is currently facing a great challenge to address the issue of corona virus spread and as a result of lock down and restrictions on movement of people and vehicles, the time duration for lifting the cargo from the ports has exceeded the free time as allowed to the importers under normal course of business.
Therefore, the FBR, in the aforementioned letter had advised not to receive the demurrage and the detention charges from the importers for a period of 15 days in addition to the free time already allowed by the port authorities, Kidwai said.
He lamented that ports and shipping lines authorities were paying no heed to the directions issued by the FBR on behalf of federal government under an agreement with apex body of the business community, the FPCCI.
PCMA Chairman Abrar Ahmad has urged the prime minister and advisor to prime minister on commerce and industry to intervene into the matter by issuing clear instructions to the concerned authorities for extending free time at Ports and Terminals for a period of next 15 days to waive off the demurrage and detention charges on imports with immediate effect so as to facilitate the importers’ cash flow, timely clearance of the imported goods and also the quick generation of government revenues.
