Delays in import & export consignments: separate zone for customs examination suggested

Value-added textile manufacturers-cum-exporters on Wednesday proposed a separate customs examination zone for export and import consignments at the private terminals of Karachi port to end shipments delays. This was suggested by Pakistan Apparel Forum's chairman Javed Bilwani at a meeting held here with customs officials at PHMA House. Members from other textile associations also attended the meeting.
The customs officials who attended the meeting included Chief Collector Customs (Enforcement), South, Muhammad Nazim Salim; Collector of Customs (Exports), Karachi, Manzoor Hussain Memon and Collector Customs (Exports), Port Qasim, Agha Shahid Majeed Khan. Highlighting the customs-related issues, Bilwani said the move would help make the examination process of goods for customs easier at the private terminals of Karachi port, including PICT and KICT.
He said that a separate customs examination zone will help end delays in shipments and minimise the incidents of cargo damage during examination. "It is imperative to make efforts to overcome such unwanted damage to export goods, which ultimately results in their rejections and the foreign buyers refuse to pay for the damaged goods," he added.
The rejection of goods also hit the country's exchequer, besides inflicting financial losses to the export-oriented manufacturing units, he said, adding that "scores of export-oriented industries are unable to continue production because of such issues".
Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association's (PHMA), Chairman Muhammad Babar Khan said that exporters have been facing delays in getting customs rebate claims. Problems like poor law and order, power and gas shortages, strikes always delayed manufacturing of export goods and their shipment, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Collector Customs (Enforcement), South, Muhammad Nazim Salim, said that customs had upgraded its cargo examination system at the ports which was simple and functioning much better.
"The customs examination, under the WEBOC System, is being carried out in the shortest possible," he added. He, however, asked the exporters to provide details of their cargo which got damaged during customs examinations last month along with goods declaration form to the concerned officials. He directed the customs officials to help resolve the issues being faced by the apparel textile exporters immediately and on the spot.
He said the terminal operators should ensure safety of the export bound cargo and ensure repackaging of the examined goods. The terminal operators should provide all required facilities, including skilled and experienced labourers, for handling textile export goods and repackaging after their customs examination, he added. PHMA's senior vice chairman Zakir Dadabhoy, vice chairman Altaf Hussain, Paksea's chairman Rafiq Godil and Naqi Bari, Kamran Chandna, M. Muzammil Hussain also took part in the discussion.