KARACHI: The importers of Karachi have expressed their deep concerns over the implementation of assessable values on the clearance of different items, which they called an ‘unjustified and discriminatory act’ by the Pakistan Customs in order to damage the imports of the country, particularly of the city.
Talking to Customs Today, the importers of the city were of the view that a major difference of the assessable values (valuation guidelines) on different items including nails, steel scourers, stainless steel kitchen sink (unbranded), articles of iron key chains, hand tools including hand saw/hack saw, band saw circular saw; hand tools (power operated) including drill machines and other inter-changeable tools; cutting machine parts, kitchen knives, in cutter; nail clipper, cutter; aluminium kitchen wear i.e. fry pans, cook wear sets, non-stick utensils, trace for oven, nuts bold and screw, aluminium ladders, swing needles, scissors, disposable razors, spoons, file ring, binders, paper clips, thumb tacks, iron and steel chair/chain link and aluminium profiles was witnessed in the clearance of items from dry ports and Karachi port.
“The customs duty is almost double on the clearance of said items on the Karachi Port as compared to other dry ports of the country, which is badly affecting the imports and the revenue of the country,” they added.
They termed the prevailing action of the officers of Pakistan Customs, regarding the high assessable values implementing only in the clearance of said items at Karachi Port, a passive move and harmful for the imports in the city.
“The smuggling of those items from Afghanistan and Bandar Abbas in Iran was also witnessed due to the said action of the Federal Board of Revenue and Pakistan Customs officers, adding that it was also affecting the imports and importers of the city directly,” they added.
They further appealed the FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa and Member Customs Nisar Muhammad to take appropriate action in this regard and save the imports of the economical hub of the country.
When contacted, one of the senior FBR officers confirmed Customs Today that the imports at Karachi Port were at decline by a great extent, which ultimately affects the revenue collection target set by FBR during the Fiscal Year 2013-14.
