HYDERABAD: Importers of Hyderabad have urged the Model Customs Collectorate and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to appoint machinery shed appraisers (MSAs) at Hyderabad Dry Port as consignments are pending for the last two months, causing loss to traders.
Talking to Customs Today, importers said that many containers laden with scrap and auto parts were not being cleared by customs authorities for the last two months due to the non-availability of machinery shed appraiser at the collectorate. They added that inordinate delay in clearance was not only damaging the consignments but also affecting the business in the region. They also informed that importers have to pay Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per day as rent on containers to the carrier companies.
Importers revealed that MCC Hyderabad had called the MSA from Karachi to appropriately determine tariff classification in terms of HS Code, correctly assess the applicable rates of duty and taxes, properly calculate the assessable value and confirm the import status of the consignments a few days ago, but the appraiser has not submitted the report in this regard to the MCC Hyderabad until today. After the clearance report of the MSA, customs would clear the consignments, they informed.
They added that due to the lack of facilities and staff in Hyderabad, importers preferred Karachi ports or other ports to import their consignments, which could hamper the MCC Hyderabad in achieving its revenue target of the year.
They urged the MCC Hyderabad authorities and the FBR to take effective measures to attract local traders as lack of facilities were badly affecting both the government and the business community alike. They also asked for the permanent appointment of the machinery shed appraisers at the collectorate.
They suggested that customs authorities should develop friendly atmosphere with business chambers and importers to make Hyderabad Collectorate properly functional again.
