ISLAMABAD: Member Customs of Federal Board of Revenue Nisar Muhammad has said that all transit cargo movement and domestic clearance of imported consignments would be done through Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC) clearance system from January 1, 2014.
He said this at Integrated Transit Trade Management System conference organised by the FBR. Nisar said that we are moving towards one customs clearance system. The FBR is also trying to facilitate domestic clearances through the WeBOC.
Syed Tanveer Ahmed, head of Directorate of Reforms and Automation (Customs) informed the conference about the working of WeBOC. He also explained that functions of the WeBOC and plan to fully implement the system across the country.
The Member Customs said that the FBR will do necessary legislation in the customs law in the next federal budget to facilitate the Customs clearance under the new system.
Prominent officials of Customs department present at the conference. Naeem Khan, Collector of Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar while speaking at the conference said that the Customs department is not fully equipped with developed fighting force to effectively tackle the issue of smuggling. There is a need to make legislative and administrative changes to ensure unity of command to prevent smuggling at borders. There is also lack of co-ordination among Customs and law enforcement agencies which needs to be improved to check cross border illicit trade.
Zahoor Raja Collector of MCC Quetta informed the conference that if we compare all border stations, Chaman has the least facilities despite heavy transportation of transit cargo to Afghanistan. Almost 400-500 trucks cross the Chaman border regularly, but there is only one scanner for this purpose.
Tariq Huda Collector, MCC Preventive, Karachi explained in detail about the limitation of human resource during Customs clearance processes at Karachi. The lack of human resource and technical staff for effectively running scanners is required at ports. He also highlighted methodology to overcome these issues.
Chief Collector of Customs Lahore Lutfullah Virk shared his experience about the clearance of consignments through Wagah border. He also highlighted the positive role of the Pak-India Customs liaison committee for speedy clearance of consignments.
