Pakistan Customs to launch PCVaG

Pakistan Customs is going to launch Pakistan Customs Valuation Gateway (PCVaG), a complete online solution by end of current month to eradicate issues of under-invoicing and mis-declaration. Amir Marwat, Director General Customs Valuation and his team including M. Ibrahim Vigio Director, Jawad Agha, additional Director Customs, Shoaib, a PRAL representative and Humayun Zaffar used departmental resources to make the idea viable.
The web portal comprising five modules including valuation ruling, valuation advice, agreed value, clearance data and international prices will serve as a deterrence against the menace of group under-invoicing and mis-declaration. The PCVaG will provide level playing field to the local manufacturers as well as to the genuine importers who will be saved from unhealthy competition at the hands of under valued imports in the local market. When contacted Marwat said that the Pakistan Customs had to follow international best practices to augment revenue and facilitate trade by minimising discretionary powers of the staff in the field of valuation of imported goods.
The web portal as a risk assessment tool has been developed keeping in view the criteria of World Customs Organisation (WCO). This instrument would minimise valuation-related disputes in case of imported goods and as a consequence would result in less dwell time at the ports. The Web page is user friendly.
He said the department had incorporated all valuation rulings, which would be available to the users online instead of searching for hard copies. The valuation data would be uploaded in the system on daily basis and all necessary arrangements had been made in this regard. Marwat further said, "This is the first time in the history of Pakistan Customs, that valuation database has been developed in a systematic and organised manner and in accordance with international standards by using local resources."
The Valuation Directorate has imparted training to most of the internal stakeholders (customs staff) across the country for building their capacity in taking maximum use of the web portal. The web page will be further fine-tuned with the help of PRAL for ensuring its integrity, safety and security. This system is a step forward to simplify and modernise customs business processes, which will cast a positive impact on revenue collection.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has also issued Customs General Order (CGO) to make the web page as a viable and regular feature. The valuation mechanism is now improved as valuation rulings and advises are fed in both PaCCS and One Custom well in time and on daily basis. There is complete integration between Valuation Department and main clearance collectorates, which could share information and data with each other due to electronic linkages. The Directorate is hopeful that this web portal would serve the business community.