Replacement of Agility''s PaCCS: FBR starts evaluating world''s reputed clearance systems

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has started evaluation of internationally reputed customs clearance systems along with ''ASYCUDA'' as replacement of Pakistan Customs Computerised System (PaCCS) for automated clearance of imported consignments.
It is learnt that the issue of new customs clearance was discussed during the last meeting of the National Trade Corridor Task Force Committee on Trade Facilitation, Ports Dwell Time and Ports Charges (NTC-TF) held at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The FBR had informed the meeting that on the basis of inputs received from internal and external stakeholders and findings of the system audit report of the PaCCS, the future roll-out of PaCCS through ''Agility'' was found not feasible for which the government has decided to discontinue Agility''s service to PaCCS, and as a short-term measure replace it with web-based ''One-Customs'' (WeBOC), developed in-house by Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) on experimental basis. Meanwhile, as an alternative, FBR is also evaluating other world reputed customs automated clearance systems including ''ASYCUDA''.
The representative of Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) highlighted the apprehensions of terminal operators about the transition process. The representative of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) emphasised the importance of outreach program/awareness workshops/seminars on the ''WeBOC'' to remove the apprehension of trade over the transition.
The committee of the National Trade Corridor Task Force dispelled the perception of terminal operators that FBR is reverting (back) to manual customs clearance system. The meeting was informed that the decision to discontinue PaCCS operation through the software of Agility was taken by the GOP. The FBR is committed to paperless customs clearance system. The transition process from the PaCCS to ''WeBOC'' will have some temporary hiccups which will be overcome. The meeting was informed that the final decision regarding continuing or discontinuing of the PaCCS operation through the software of Agility is to be taken by the GOP.
The meeting decided that the FBR must continue making efforts for countrywide roll-out of automated customs clearance systems.
About the development of Electronic Data Interchange (EDJ) with PaCCS, the meeting was informed that the EDI facility between terminal operators and customs both PaCCS and ''One Customs'' clearance customs exists which can be extended to all stakeholders.
When contacted, experts in customs matters said that it was yet to be decided to implement the ''WeBOC'' despite almost finalisation of the new system. The customs department has also finalised the parameters for risk-based profiling of importers under the ''WeBOC''. However, the FBR has not yet taken the decision to implement the ''WeBOC''. As far as ASYCUDA is concerned an expert team of customs officials had visited the board to study the system and submitted its report to the board. On the other hand, it is yet to be seen whether the FBR would discontinue the PaCCS in future, the experts added.