The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has restored concessionay rate of 5 percent customs duty on the import of all kinds of fresh and dry fruits from Afghanistan. The board has amended SRO 567(1)/2006 through a notification issued on Tuesday to rectify an error committed during the budget (2008-2009).
The conessironay rates of customs duty would be applicable on the import of different kinds of nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled. It included almonds, hazelnuts or filberts, chestnuts, pistachios and all fresh and dry fruit specified in the chapter 8 of Pakistan Customs Tariff.
Before budget 2008-2009, fresh and dry fruits of Afghanistan origin and imported from Afghanistan, mentioned in chapter 8 of Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT), were subject to concessionary rate of 5% duty vide serial number 1 of SRO 567(1)/2006.
On the eve of issuance of amendments made in the SRO in budget 2008-09, due to typographical error, Pakistan Customs Tariff heading mentioned against serial number 1 of the SRO was typed as 08.02 which limited exemption of customs duty in excess of 5% customs duty only on certain dry and fresh fruits instead of whole chapter 8 of Pakistan Customs Tariff. Consequently, pre-budget position in this regard has been restored by issuing amendment in SRO 567(1)/2006 through SRO784.