MULTAN: Pakistan Customs should modify its clearance procedure under green channel facility to prevent its misuse in the country after revealing recent scams on Port Qasim. It was stated by Vice President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Syeda Masooma Sibtain and member of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
She told that green channel facility was introduced with an aim to promote smoother clearance of shipments but misuse of this facility will damage our national exchequer and economy. The Federal Board of Revenue should bring widespread reforms in the clearance procedure under green channel and also rationalize taxes to avoid any tax evasion or mis-declaration from importers.
Masooma suggested that government should provide green channel facility only to high value cargo to prevent its misuse and take strict actions against offenders involved in smuggling of contraband items through green channel facility.
It is very unfortunate for our country that few customs team are involved in unscrupulous activities at Port Qasim and they are allowing smugglers to throw their smuggled goods in the markets after getting clearance through green channel.
These illegal activities are damaging our local markets and manufacturers are incurring huge losses due to clearance of their shipments through green channel facility in the country. He suggested that government should implement new Web-based database of importers which assembled whole comprehensive information and permits no objection certificate to importer through clearance of green channel facility in order to avoid any misuse of said facility.
Masooma Sibtain recommended that customs would provide approval for green channel examination only based on the company’s good record for green channel facility and absence of any records of previous customs related offense or any other necessary requirements will allow further scrutiny of Customs. Green Channel facility must be given to active taxpayers in the country to avoid its misuse.
She intended on using an automated system for the importers and exporters of industry which also involved assessment of the import and export shipments through manual examination and it would prove to be a better procedure though green channel in the country.
Currently, regulations in place are not for sufficient where examinations are carried out under the Red channel and almost all documentation is also examined after the modification of green channel and importers will have to produce any of their documentation either to be checked. Customs department should take more measures and keep a close eye in the clearance of import and export shipments to prevent any smuggling through green channel and Customs authorities must concentrate on detailed examinations.
