A delegation of All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) met FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa Friday and discussed key customs clearance issues including the role of principal appraisers at dry ports and lodging of FIR against bonded carriers. It is learnt that a delegation comprising 30 office-bearers & executive committee members headed by Syed Shams Ahmed Burney, Chairman APCAA visited the FBR House to discuss the problems and serious issues faced by the clearing agent community.
Some core issues which came under discussion are related to transparency in the clearance through customs computerised system. The WEBOC issues related to the dry ports and bonded carrier. The FBR Chairman patiently listened problems of the association and promised to convene a follow-up meeting at Karachi for further necessary action.
According to the association, Arshad Jamal stated that there are many grey areas in clearance system resulting in increased cost of doing business. Moreover, appraising group system in WEBOC clearance system is also increasing the cost of importers. To deal with the negligence of appraising staff in fulfilling their lawful responsibilities in WEBOC, the deputy collectors have to complete the assessment work on behalf of their junior staff and the clearance time has increased from 15-20 days in WEBCO customs clearance system.
Chaudhry Amjad Senior Vice Chairman APCCA, while talking to FBR officials pointed out that the role of principal appraisers at dry ports is contrary to the rules. Chairman APCCA pointed out that all FIRs are being lodged against the bonded carriers unconditionally contrary to the principles of criminal jurisprudence. Tax authorities directed that the bonded carriers are responsible for safe transportation but in cases which are beyond the control of the carrier and wherein the bonded carrier lodged an FIR for the incident, action should not be taken against the bonded carrier, representatives of the association added.
Comments
Comments are closed.