Following the problems being faced by importers after the commencement of Web Based One Custom (WeBOC) at Air Freight Unit (AFU), the demurrages will now be applied after five free days to facilitate the trade. According to a circular issued by the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) of Preventive, AFU the other day, after launching of newly clearance system WeBOC, importers are facing problems in clearance of their consignments that resulted in payment of heavy demurrages.
Keeping in view this problem, demurrages may now be applied after five free days so that importers could manage their trade smoothly and can share in boosting up the national economy of the country, the circular said. Meanwhile, sources said the deliveries of consignments from the respective sheds of cargo hours would now stay on till 2000 hours, due to newly-established clearance system WeBOC till midweek of March 2013. Moreover, they said the department has also directed its staff concerned to ensure their presence for co-ordination with importers and their clearing agents.
Replying to a question, the department in order to maintain transparency at AFU asked importers to pinpoint its officials, who were reportedly involved in greasing their palms. They said the AFU customs had assured importers to take punitive measures against any official, who were found guilty against the complaint. Moreover, sources said the authority had also decided to process every Goods Declarations (GDs) within 48 hours to dispose of the backlog of consignments at AFU.
When contacted, Saghir A Qureshi, Assistant Vice President, Karachi Custom Agents Association said the decision taken to eradicate malpractices in AFU could not yield fruits unless the existing staff was removed. Moreover, he said that most of staffers have been serving at AFU for last 5 to 10 years and they were creating hurdles.
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