The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has assured the customs agents that a round-the-clock facility for the payment of port dues will be introduced shortly with the launching of pre-paid card system. It is also studying the possibility of payment of wharfage and storage charges by the importers through one bill.
This was stated by the KPT General Manager Operations (GMO), Rear Admiral Nauman Bashir, at a meeting with Karachi Customs Agents Group (KCAG) held to discuss their problems at the port.
The KCAG delegation, led by its President Sheikh Farrukh Saleem, comprised Wasiq Hussain Khan and Muhammad Arif Siddiqui.
The KCAG informed the KPT official that the clearing agents were facing difficulties due to slow and pre-audit procedure for the payment of wharfage.
They pointed out that when the customs agents approached for delivery counter, they were told the wharfage bill was not found on computer as it was not cleared by the auditor, resultantly gate passes were not issued in time.
The KPT official directed the chief audit officer to issue necessary instructions to the bank that after payment of wharfage, paid copies of wharfage bills should be passed on to the auditor within 15 minutes and audit process must be completed within the stipulated time.
He, however, rejected the demand for introducing a post-audit system of wharfage payment, saying the government's requirements did not permit the same.
About restoration of e-wharfage facility, the KPT officials said he was working on the job and most probably the facility would be resumed by February 28.
Farrukh Saleem pointed out that in view of the system being followed at private container terminals, the KPT should also provide the facility for payment of wharfage and storage charges through one bill instead of making separate bills.
The KPT official directed the KPT chief account officer to study the system of private terminals and explore the possibility of payment of wharfage and storage through one bill.
The customs agents were informed that the KPT Traffic Manager had agreed to extend the time for submission of delivery documents and providing the information for delivery up to 5 p. m. during working days.
About the KCAG demand for round-the-clock payment of port dues, the KPT officials said after clearance from the State Bank of Pakistan, pre-paid card system would be launched by the KPT very shortly and would be followed by round-the-clock payment facility.
About feeding of incorrect details of lose container load (LCL) cargo by Jaffar Bros, the KPT official said under the e-wharfage system, the clearing agents had the full liberty to provide details of the consignment as per landing position duly supported by the customs goods declaration (GD).
However, in case of any discrepancy, the contractor was responsible to generate a correct wharfage bill without extra charges, he added.
The customs agents were informed that the practice of re-feeding of wharfage at gates and the checking of documents had been stopped.
It was agreed that the staff, detailed for scrutinising delivery documents, would also check the category of cargo through computer whether the same was transported by barge or by road instead of sending it to other sections of dangerous goods (DG) shed for verification.
The Port Security Force Commandant informed the meeting that out of about 21,023 smart card, 8,451 had already been issued and about 7,050 cards were ready for delivery. He said that in case of delay or dispute, the applicants might visit his office to sort out the issue. The time for submission of application for smart card was extended up to January 31, it also agreed.
On the KCAG request that the storage should not be charged from the exporters if they had paid the same to the shipping agents, the KPT officials said no storage charges were levied on the export cargo where it was shipped on the original vessel.
However, in case of shutting out of cargo from the original vessel, storage charges were applicable as per the relevant SRO, he said.
The KCAG pointed out the delay in filing of export general manifest (EGM) in the KPT's computer would be avoided to make payment of wharfage at the earliest. The delay in payment was also caused due to late registration of new vessel at the deputy conservator (DC) office, he added.
The KPT traffic department officials clarified that the EGM played no role in filing the wharfage entry, as according to e-wharfage programme, the wharfage bill could be generated through the EGM number, already endorsed on the shipping bill.
About the issue of booking of By Road workers, whose status had been declared illegal by the Sindh High Court, the official said though the KPT was not a formal party in the case, it was bound to follow the orders of the learned courts. Moreover, in case whenever required the Sindh government Labour Department was consulted for providing specific clarifications to be implemented.
He informed the meeting that the KPT could not afford law and order situation within the port premises.
Under the circumstances, the port management always ensured peaceful settlement or the issues in the larger interest of the trade, he added.