KARACHI: The importers are still facing acute problems in course of examination conducted by the examining officials of Model Customs Collectorate-MCC Port Muhammad bin Qasim at Qasim International Terminals (QICT), it is learnt here.
The importers while sharing their views with Customs Today said that their imported consignments are not being grounded for last four days, as the examining staff of MCC-Port Muhammad bin Qasim at QICT are not able to complete the examination of the grounded containers on time resulting compilation of the stuck-up consignments at QICT.
The importers were of the view that the main reason of delaying in the examination process at QICT was that the authorities concerned of MCC-Port Muhammad bin Qasim do not give “allow” the importers’ representatives in the premises of examination area for arranging their imported items with great care, which also safe time and speedup the examination process.
They further said that the delay in examination process was also increases the “cost of doing business”, as the importers in case of delay must have to pay demurrage and detention charges in thousands of rupees.
Importers have appealed the FBR authorities concerned to take immediate notice of the said dismal condition in examination process at QICT, so that the trade could be facilitated in true sense.
When contacted, Additional Collector ADC Examination- MCC Port Muhammad bin Qasim Shaiq Latki termed the allegations of importers “baseless” and said that no pendency is being existed at QICT and the examination process is being continued as per daily routine.
Responding a query, the additional collector said that 260 containers of bulk consignments are being examined in a day while more than 90 percent examination is being completed in a single day.
Refuting the allegations of the importers, Additional Collector Shaiq Latki claimed that if any of the importers have any reservations on examination process, then he just gives me the ready reference of any two Goods Declaration (GDs) which are being in pending for more than a day.
He further said that the examination staff of the Collectorate is coming at 11am daily and carried out examination at 5.00 pm and ensures less pendency at the end of the day, adding that the Collectorate is striving hard to accomplish the process of examination at the same day.
Additional Collector-MCC Port Muhammad bin Qasim Shaiq Latki said that the main reason of the importers’ criticism on the process of examination is that the authorities concerned of the Collectorates do not importers, who do not have perishable and fragile imported consignments.
