The Collector of Customs, Appraisement, has waived examination of loose cargo imported under Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA).
Sources told Business Recorder that Customs officials have directed the staff deputed at Karachi port not to examine loose cargo under ATTA.
Now the Customs staff is not marking the loose ATT cargoes for further examination and are asked the clearing agents to load the goods.
Previously, the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) had waived the examination of containerised cargo in November last year (2004).
The move is believed to help speed up the clearance of stuck up consignments being imported by Afghanistan via Pakistan under the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA).
The government aims to facilitate Afghan trade via Pakistan and the Customs has been directed in Karachi to waive customs examination of consignments already arrived at the Karachi port.
But the staff deputed at Port Qasim is not complying with the waiver instructions and they are examining loose cargoes arrived under ATTA.
Afghan importers have been very critical of delays at both the ports of Karachi and their agents feared loss of the business, if the clearance of goods is speeded up.