ISLAMABAD: The Customs Air Freight Unit (AFU) processed 8925 import related goods declaration during July 1 to November 15, 2016, while the same stood at 10,000 during same period last year 2015-16.
This was informed by AFU Additional Collector Khawaja Khurram Naeem while talking to Customs Today, adding that the AFU was trying to boost exports and imports to strengthen economy of the country.
He said that most of exports goods cleared through Islamabad AFU are included fresh fruits, vegetables and sports goods, adding that the customs generated handsome revenue on the export, but there is need to put more concentration on exports in order to earn foreign exchange.
He said that AFU facing hardships to meet the given target for current financial year 2016-17 due to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, as many imported items have been exempted from duty/taxes under this agreement.
He said that AFU has been given target of Rs 200 million for collection of customs duty for running month, November 2016 that is difficult to achieve due to such exemptions, adding, “AFU officials are striving hard to meet the target assigned by the Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad”.
He said that the Pakistan Customs has shifted all manual data of imports and exports on Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) in order to expedite the clearance process to facilitate the traders. The additional collector added that most of the local and foreign traders were using WeBOC for filing of their goods declarations.
