Cargo reprocessing: Carriers told to bring all Nato shipments to QICT

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is learnt to have directed operators of DP World MT2 Yard and bonded carriers to bring all consignments for Nato and US Forces at the Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) for re-processing. These shipments were previously cleared by Customs authorities.
Sources told Business Recorder on Saturday that the move was aimed at averting the occurrence of any untoward incident. They said that at the time of restrictions on Nato supplies, around 1,000 to 1,200 Nato containers were in transit. Till now, most of these containers had been kept at the DP World MT2 Yard and warehouses of bonded carriers.
According to office order 69/2012(ATG) PQ, a copy of which was obtained by Business Recorder, the carrier would apply to the QICT for re-processing of consignments previously cleared by Customs. It said the QICT would issue a special gate pass as per format for consignments cleared through QICT only. The special gate pass will carry serial numbers and be submitted by the carrier during customs clearance at the QICT. The clearance, it said, would be handled by customs, preventive and by the staff of One-Customs at the QICT.
Before entry into the QICT, the carrier would obtain a slip recording the weight of the empty vehicle and every container would be scanned within the QICT, besides obtaining a report signed by officials concerned. Subsequently, each container will be weighed at the QICT weighbridge.
In case the container seal was found to be broken, a new seal will be issued besides completion of any other formality deemed necessary on case-to-case basis. After being sealed, all formalities related to the issuance of Form 'D' will be fulfilled by the Preventive staff at the QICT Out-gate.
The order further said that the clearance would be allowed on submission of all requisite documents - carrier manifest, a copy of GD, scanning report and weighment slip.
It said that the containers would be allowed exit only through One-Customs gate and the Preventive staff would forward copies of clearance documents to the In-charge of Afghan Transit Group (ATG) the following day. Moreover, it said containers would be escorted by Pakistan Rangers to the border after exiting from QICT.