KARACHI: The importers are once again facing acute problems in clearance of their import and export consignments at Karachi International Containers’ Terminal (KICT), it is learnt here.
Talking to Customs Today, Collector Appraisement (West) Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi was of the view that the Customs authorities are in touch with the authorities of the terminal in order to resolve the matter of the importers’ community
The importers’ community was of the view that terminal operators are not cooperating with them and they have to pay extra charges as demurrage and detention charges, as their consignments are stuck up at KICT due to delay in grounding of the containers.
The importers were further stated that they have also contacted the customs authorities in this regard and Collector Appraisement West Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi has assured the importers’ community that the customs would look into the matter and it would be resolved soon.
It is pertinent to mention here that the importers and exporters were already facing the same type of issues, last week and the customs collector was playing a vital role in resolving the grid-lock of containers at KICT. However, the same situation is observed once again at KICT.
The importers stated that the KICT administration is running the affairs of the terminal with incompetent labour, causing issues in clearance of the imported consignments.
They further said that thousands of consignments are still waiting for grounding for last five to six days, causing loss to the importers’ community while increasing the cost of doing business.
The Collector further said that the Customs officers and officials in examination and assessment sections at KICT are performing their duties to resolve the issue.
