KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs is in the process of evolution mainly due to the induction of the Web Based One Custom (WeBOC) Customs clearance system.
The WeBOC provides real time integration of agents, brokers, terminal operators, cargo handlers and customs officials for the clearance of trade consignments and collection of duties and allied taxes. The system is in the process of being implemented at all customs stations including sea, air and dry ports across the country.
Talking to Customs Today informally, a high-placed officer in Pakistan Customs said that 60 percent of the cargoes are now cleared within hours instead of days at the Karachi ports. This has not only helped the importers save time, money and energy but has also allowed Customs to realise the payment of duties and taxes early, he added.
However, certain issues still need to be addressed to improve the efficiency, he held. These include further improving the risk management component of the automated system to reduce the incidences of tax evasion and violation as well as to reduce the clearance time of cent percent of the cargoes at Karachi ports within hours, he added. “It is vital to bring the efficiency of the Pakistan Customs at par with the internationally acceptable standards that would not only help it increase its revenue due to evasion, mis-declarations and violations of IPOs and SROs,” he said.
