ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has launched the PassTrack App to facilitate international passengers departing from or arriving in Pakistan in declaring carrying cash electronically.
According to details released by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday, the App has a user-friendly interface which enables passengers to declare currency even before reaching the airport.
The FBR further stated that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)’s new regulation has made it mandatory for international air passengers to file foreign currency declaration with Customs. The travellers can benefit from the PassTrackApp to keep record of the currency limits and promote a culture of compliance for the country’s progress.
The SBP has issued the notification dated 08.11.2022 to revise the cash-carrying limits for outbound passengers.
Accordingly, the FBR, vide SRO 2201(I)/2022 dated 12.12.2022 has notified the revised cash-carrying limits, the limits for passengers travelling abroad except Afghanistan.
Moreover, the SBP has also made it mandatory for every person carrying foreign currency to file a declaration with Customs.
The maximum limit per person per visit in $5,000 and $30,000 per year (or equivalent in other foreign currencies) for 18 years and above (adults). The maximum limit per person per visit in $2,500 and $15,000 annual (or equivalent in other foreign currencies) for the age below 18 years (Minors).
In order to make it convenient for international passengers, Pakistan Customs has obtained help from National Information Technology Board (NITB) to develop a web-based mobile App to electronically file the declaration.
The mobile app with the name of “PassTrack” has been modified to facilitate passengers. This platform facilitates the passengers to declare currency while travelling to/from Pakistan even before coming to airport. Testing of the App has been completed and many new features have been incorporated so that passengers can easily fill in all the required information.
The App is available on App Store and Play Store for downloading. The web version of the App is also available. It is also accessible from all over the world.
The App provides step-by-step guidance to travellers making it easier for them to file declarations.
Any person can register on the App using his/her mobile number and the declaration form is available both in Urdu and English languages.
The passenger will provide personal data once, and on the next visit, the system will auto-populate the form on logging in.
The App will show previous declarations in the calendar year and available annual limit data immediately becomes available in Customs system to departure and arrival monitoring officers.
A feedback/complaint mechanism has also been incorporated in the APP to cater to any mistake/correction.
The PassTrack app is part of the FBR’s resolve of making all-out efforts in creating a culture of compliance through technology-based solutions and eliminating human intervention.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023
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