LAHORE: Importers, exporters and customs clearing agents have been facing hard time as appraisers often remain absent from their duties at NLC Dry Port located at Thokar Niaz Baig.
Importer and exporters and clearing agents told the Customs Today that their business was suffering serious blows as appraisers at the Port were not attending the office properly.
“Often one or two appraisers out of four remain absent from the Port, providing no substitute in their place. This is why our clients are facing huge losses. If one or two appraisers are on leave, our clearance and examination of the goods and articles is put off till the next date, increasing per unit cost by adding container and storage charges,” a customs clearing agent said on the condition of anonymity.
Another importer told this scribe that appraisers Naveed malik and Qmarul Islam Abdali were absent and now his clearing agent has been asked to come on the next day.
“This has increased per unit cost for my imported goods. It would be better at least one substitute may be provided for every appraiser who is on leave not letting the routine business of the port come to the grinding halt, ”the importer added.
Exporters were also complaining against the indifferent attitude of the appraisers who were on leave with no substitute in their place. On the other hand, Customs NLC dry port officials said that both the appraisers, Naveed Malik and Qmarul Islam Abdali were coincidentally on leaves for some urgent piece of personal work. The importers and exporters urged Chief Collector Customs Rozi Khan to take notice of the situation.
