The Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) has waived charges for delivery of containers at night, but it would continue to charge the same during the day. The information was given to Karachi Customs Agents Group (KCAG) during a meeting held to resolve the problems faced by the clearing agents at the terminal. The KCAG delegation was represented at the meeting by its President Farrukh Saleem and General Secretary Arif Siddiqui.
Giving details of the meeting, Arif said on Wednesday that the KICT management also assured them to make deliveries within one hour of the entry of truck into the container yard, provided the clearing agents did not leave the delivery place to do some other business.
About complaints of thefts from the containers, the KICT management said that security would be tightened, besides installation of cameras in the container yards to check the cases of pilferage.
It was also agreed at the meeting that the delay in grounding of containers for the customs examination would be eliminated and the containers would be available for the job the next day of the receipt of request for the clearing agents.
The KICT management also assured the KCAG that double charging on shifting of containers from the KICT to the M.T.O. would be eliminated and the excess amount would be refunded.
Similarly, the excess amount charged inadvertently while making the pay-order would also be refunded. It also acceded to the KCAG request to increase the number of payment and delivery counters to facilitate the importers.
The KICT promised to look into the KCAG request that storage charges on account of late grounding of containers could be waived and at least three demurrage-free days should be allowed.