The Federal Board of Revenue is investigating garments export consignments mishandling by the customs authorities at ports, on the complaints of US-based foreign buyers of a leading Pakistani exporter. Sources told Business Recorder here on Saturday that the FBR has issued instructions to the Model Customs Collectorate to investigate the matter of containers mishandling by the customs authorities.
The exporter as well as Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have approached the FBR to probe the matter hampering garments export. According to the company''s letter to the Collector of Customs Karachi, it is one of the export-oriented company involved in garments the business. The company being "export oriented" earns huge foreign exchange and vitally contributes to Pakistan economy since long.
That during September, 2013, December 2013 and January 2014 the Company received export orders from different countries for supply of garments. The company as per orders manufactured the garments worth $265,828 and sent through forty footer/high cube containers at Karachi Port, for onward transmission to the US, the detail of consignments are as under, the letter added.
The company received letters of its customers wherein it was mentioned that all the boxes were broken/opened, garments were mixed up, strewn about and also missing. Upon receiving the above-mentioned letters, the company ordered inquiry into the matter and came to the conclusion that all happened due to inefficient working style, negligence, irresponsible attitude/careless behaviour of custom staff at Karachi Port. Further, the custom staff that inspected the container had not only badly damaged the garments boxes but also resorted to misappropriation. When the Company brought this into the knowledge of concerned quarter, no one was ready to take the responsibility of mishandling of containers.
Due to the above mentioned inefficient working style, carelessness, which happened at the time of inspection of containers not only goodwill and repute of the company was badly damaged in the eyes of customers, but also the company has to suffer heavy financial losses. It is apprehended that due to irresponsible, carelessness/negligent behaviour, and inefficient working style of custom personnel, not only our country would be deprived of foreign exchange but also our valuable client would not serve any export order in future, company said. In the light of facts, the company has no other way but to request customs authorities to take stern action against the responsible personnel of custom department and to allow the company personnel to be present at the time of inspection.
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