ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue has issued instructions to all Collectors of Customs and Model Customs Collectorate (MCCs) to comply with Montreal Protocal and prevent clearance and release of imported consignments containing HCFCs-ozone-depleting substances.
The instructions have been issued to reiterate Pakistan’s committment to avoid breaching of the international HCFCs phaseout plan from January 1, 2013.
The Climate Change Division has apprehended that the import authorisation of HCFC granted to an importer of Rawalpindi would result in serious violations of the international agreement and commitments made by Pakistan under the Montreal Protocol. According to sources, all developed countries are subject to caps on their consumption and production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), according to the terms of the Montreal Protocol and its amendments. Under the Montreal Protocol, the US and other developed nations must achieve a certain percentage of progress towards the total phase-out of production and consumption of HCFCs, by certain dates.
The Climate Change Division has lodged a formal complaint with the FBR against import of HCFCs in excess of allocated quota given to a company of Rawalpindi. Ministry of Commerce had issued the authorisation (dated July 19 2012) for the import of the 5000 Metric Tons of HCFC-22 (HS Code 2903-4910) by a company of Rawalpindi located at Railway Workshop Road Rawalpindi.
Climate Change Division’s had sent a letter to the FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa on January 22, 2014 on the said subject. The letter read that Pakistan is under obligation to phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as per an agreed incremental phase out plan with effect from January 1, 2013. The base line for the import of HCFCs for Pakistan is 247 ODP tonnes.
If such imports are not curbed, Pakistan is likely to breach on its international commitment. FBR shall urgently inquire into the matter and take steps to streamline the anomaly, the letter read. In view of the prevailing situation, the FBR is requested not to allow any import release of HCFCs by the said transport company of Rawalpindi or by any other unauthorised importer, the letter added.
