The Federal Board of Revenue has levied a fee of Rs 300 for sealing and de-sealing of container under Pakistan Customs Container Security System (PCCSS) to ensure safe transhipment. According to an SRO 340(I)/2009 issued here on Saturday, the fee of Rs 300 has been imposed per container for security sealing and such fee shall be inclusive of service charges for sealing and de-sealing of goods being transhipped for upcountry dry ports.
The fee would be paid by the importer and exporters and would check any leakage and theft of the imported cargo during transhipment process. It would also ensure that cargo would not be misplaced during transhipment of containers to the upcountry dry ports.
The FBR has the powers to impose, levy fee and service charges for examination, scanning, inspections, sealing and de-sealing, valuation check or in respect of any other service or control mechanism provided by any formation under the control of the Board, including ventures of public-private partnership, at such rates as may be specified in the notification.
Sources said that the importers and exporters would have to pay charges of sealing and de-sealing of containers transhipped to upcountry dry ports. The whole process of sealing and de-sealing is primarily handled by the regulatory collectorate ie Preventive Karachi.
If any collectorate requires special security seals, Preventive Karachi has the authority to provide such seals. Internationally, the examination charges are being collected from importers and exporters. The sealing and de-sealing of containers is a kind of service which should be charged from the importers and exporters.
Under the existing rules, sealing and de-sealing is compulsory for safe transhipment of cargo. All transport units carrying transhipment goods shall be allowed clearance from the area of delivery on sealing by Customs Container Security Unit staff Karachi for sealing of containers. The container and vehicle shall be sealed with prescribed security and unbreakable seals with progressive serial number at the focal points (entry), on first come, first served basis.
In addition to the sealing, a wire seal will be used to hold together the locking bolts of the containers and numbered adhesive tapes will be used on joints where doors of containers close on top and bottoms of the doors and on the hinges.
Upon safe arrival at the destination, the CCSU shall inspect the seal at the focal point (exit) in the presence of driver of the vehicle, prime mover or representative of railways to verify the security of the cargo and intact condition of the customs seal and other seals if applicable
In case the CCSU or authorised person finds the seal broken or tampered with, or finds the security of the cargo/container compromised in any way detrimental to the revenue, or safety or anti narcotics or anti terrorism concerns, the matter shall be reported to the Incharge CCSU as per procedure prescribed by the Board as well as the concerned Assistant Collector of destination for necessary action.
Such container shall be de stuffed/ re stuffed only in the presence of authorised officer of the concerned customs station. The FBR has used powers available under section 18D of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969) to implement the decision.
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