KARACHI: Collector Customs Appraisement South Mohsin Rafiq and Acting President of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Saquib Fayyaz Magoon has agreed to improve ease of doing business benchmarks vis-a-vis Customs during clearance at Customs Appraisement.
The only way forward to cut human interaction is to expedite digitalization of the Customs appraisement system on a priority, he added.
Mohsin Rafiq, Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement South, pledged that grievances of business community and clearing agents are being given the due weightage; and, to improve efficiency and facilitation at customs appraisement, he is focusing on putting a world-class MIS and resolve the issue of HR shortage.
Asif Sakhi, VP FPCCI, stressed that the correct, fair and timely imposition of GST and income tax is very critical for the business, industry and trade community – as it directly affects the production and industrial processes for availability and cost of raw materials.
Asif Sakhi, VP FPCCI, reiterated FPCCI’s stance that any delays at customs stage increases the demurrages and detention charges for the business community – and, terminal operators and shipping companies charge them exorbitantly. We do not want any concessions, exemptions or waivers; but, we want our due and rightful facilitation during customs appraisement.
Shabbir Mansha, VP FPCCI, pointed out that updated rules of section 203 pertaining to wharfage or storage fee have not yet been drafted; causing tremendous financial losses to the importers in case of any discrepancy or delays. Additionally, FIRs registered in customs matters should not include clearing agents as they are not directly connected with the import; and, they just carry out the documentation on behalf of their clients.
Khurram Ijaz, FPCCI President’s advisor on FBR affairs, demanded that, clearing agents work in tandem with the customs, their licenses should not be suspended on petty issues and should be given due diligence before any such action. Furthermore, genuine customs appraisement cases should not be held on any pretext and a focal person should be nominated for FPCCI in this regard at the customs appraisement.
