KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced the establishment of a Centralized Customs Examination Unit (CEU) in Karachi to enhance the efficiency of customs operations, ensure transparency, and expedite the clearance of goods.
This initiative aims to strengthen customs oversight and streamline trade facilitation in Pakistan.
To formalize the operational framework for the centralized customs examination, the FBR issued Customs General Order (CGO) No. 1 of 2025, detailing the structure and responsibilities of the CEU.
The key aspects of the CEU’s functioning include:
• The CEU will be established at a designated location in Karachi, as notified by the Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (South), Karachi.
• Deputy/Assistant Collectors will be posted at the CEU by the Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (South), Karachi, who will be responsible for resolving system-related, logistical, and operational issues.
• Appraisers (Examination) will be deployed at the CEU as per the requirements set by the Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (South), Karachi.
• All consignments arriving at terminals within Karachi Port will undergo customs examination through the CEU. The system will process Goods Declarations (GDs) filed at the Collectorates of Customs, Appraisement—East, West, and SAPT, Karachi. In the next phase, the CEU will be expanded to other customs stations, including Port Qasim and other locations nationwide.
• Appraisers assigned to the CEU will be rotated across different terminals on a randomized basis by the Customs Computerized System (CCS), ensuring impartial customs examinations.
• Customs inspections will be completed on the same day whenever possible. Any pending examinations must be finalized the next day by the same examiner.
• The examination of goods must comply with the Customs Act, 1969, and all relevant customs regulations, including valuation rulings, Customs General Orders, and public notices issued by the FBR and other authorities.
• The CEU will be equipped with advanced technology, including tablets and body cameras, integrated with the CCS for real-time monitoring. A Central Control Room will oversee the live footage, which will be stored for a minimum of three months for review.
• Any re-examinations requested by importers or customs agents will require approval from the Additional Collector of the concerned Collectorate before being processed by the CEU.
• Post-examination actions will align with Customs General Order No. 06 of 2024, ensuring compliance with customs regulations.
The FBR’s initiative underscores its commitment to modernizing customs operations and minimizing delays in trade processes. With the establishment of the CEU, customs procedures will be more transparent, efficient, and aligned with global best practices, strengthening Pakistan’s trade infrastructure.
