Pakistanis living in the United States are not aware of any revision in baggage rules as notified in a new scheme notified by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), which relaxed the Baggage Rules of 2006, Business Recorder learnt on Tuesday. The scheme details relaxations for Pakistani nationals bearing Foreign Exchange Remittance Cards (FERCs) regarding seven electronic items.
The sources said that the commercial section of Pakistan's consulate-general in Houston, Texas was unaware of the SRO69(1)/2012 issued on January 30, 2012 which amended baggage rules for FERC holders. The Consulate-General requested the FBR to confirm whether the FBR has issued any SRO, revising baggage rules because the said SRO was not available on FBR's website. The officials have also requested the FBR to provide a copy of the SRO. In the absence of the copy of the SRO.69(1)/2012, the Consulate General is unable to verify the existence of the said SRO.
A letter sent by the consulate-general in Houston to the FBR refered to a communication by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), which detailed new amendments in the Baggage Rules of 2006 (SRO 666(1)/2006 dated June 28, 2006) vide an amending SRO.69(1)/2012 dated January 30, 2012.
It said that it had received several communications sent by the ministry of foreign affairs and the OPF, without any information about the said SRO, adding that it was also not traceable on FBR website. Requesting authorities concerned to provide a copy of SRO No 69(1)/2012 (if issued on baggage rules) and clarify whether or not the SRO.666(1)/2006 dated June 28, 2006 (as amended twice in 2006 and available on FBR website) is the final version of prevalent baggage rules.
"An early response will enable this office to inform the correct updated position to the overseas Pakistanis accordingly," the letter added. Meanwhile, a letter sent on March 20, 2012 by the ministry of foreign affairs to all Pakistanis missions abroad, said that the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation had informed them about amendments in the Baggage Rules of 2006.
As per the amendment, FERC holders would be able to utilise the duty credit available under Rule 5 of the said rules for unaccompanied baggage, including seven items with fixed duty i.e. television, deep freezers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, cooking ranges, washing machines and air conditioners.
"Pakistanis missions are requested to circulate the above information among overseas Pakistanis working/ living in the country of your accreditation," the ministry's letter added. Interestingly, the FBR had decided to clearly define the availability of 'duty credit' on seven electronic items for Pakistani nationals bearing FERCs. This is a facilitative measure under the special allowance under the existing baggage rules.
In the past, some Model Customs Collectorates (MCCs) had been giving the facility of duty credit on the above said seven electronic items while other MCCs were not granting such facility on some items to FERC holders. This created problems for overseas Pakistanis. Following the amendment in baggage rules, overseas Pakistanis with FERCs would not face any difficulty while obtaining duty credit on electronic items.
Customs authorities found that baggage rules specifically mentioned that in addition to available allowances, the "duty credit shall be admissible to a Pakistani national holding FERC once in a calendar year". "The duty credit can also be utilised for the unaccompanied baggage or any purchase from one of the duty free shops. The duty credit under this scheme shall not be utilisable on import of vehicles. The utilisation of duty credit shall be endorsed by the customs on the passport of an FERC holder." The rules clearly show that except for vehicles, duty credit is available on import of other items by overseas Pakistanis holding FERCs. The FBR, the sources said, had decided to clarify the provisions to remove any ambiguity in this regard, sources added.
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