Imported consignments: Computer industry assured of speedy clearance

A senior official of the Customs Department has assured the computer industry that the formal/documented imports of computer vendors and IT industry will be facilitated for speedy clearance of imported consignments, as the sector is contributing handsome amount of duties and taxes at import stage.
During a meeting of Pakistan Customs Association (PCA) with Dr Arslan Subuctageen, Collector of Customs, Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad, the role of documented industry in contribution of revenue and measures to curb smuggling of IT products was discussed in detail. Customs authorities were confident that the changes in sales tax regime on computer industry through Finance Act 2016 would bring informal traders within the documented regime as they would prefer to clear their consignments through legal channels.
He said that the government will recognize the documented importers, who are clearing their goods on payment of due amount of taxes through legal channels. He endorsed the viewpoint of the industry that the DG Valuation Customs Karachi plays a crucial role in accurate valuation of imported IT products and customs values used for assessment of duties and taxes are based on values notified by the DG Valuation Customs Karachi. He said that the department will extend wholehearted support and facilitation to the IT traders.
He directed the importers to always keep the documentation with their import consignment to avoid harassment at the hands of the Customs staff during transportation of their items. He called upon the PCA to hold frequent team-to-team meetings with Customs officials, monthly or quarterly as they may deem fit, to speed up the process of taxation and bring their problems without any hesitation for their benefits. Earlier, PCA Chairman Munawar Iqbal thanked Dr Arslan Subuctageen, Collector Customs Islamabad for his contribution in curbing the menace of smuggling and harassment of the IT traders and assured him of PCA's fullest support and cooperation in its contribution in revenue generation to the government.
He said the PCA would be happy to keep regular contact with the Customs officials to highlight their problems for early resolution.
He said after the removal of GST from some computer items; likewise, more items may be included in the list of tax exemption. The PCA delegation was led by its Chairman Munawar Iqbal along with its Executive Directors, Jamal Yousaf, Naeem Siddiqui, Khawar Idrees, Umer Farooq, Mohammad Younus, and Irfan ul Haq. They thanked him for the very cordial and friendly meeting and for listening to the concerns and problems faced by the IT importers. Later, Munawar Iqbal and PCA members presented an official shield to Dr Arslan Subuctageen on behalf of the PCA in appreciation of his services towards the IT business community.