ISLAMABAD: Any item imported into Pakistan through postal or courier services including air cargo cleared by couriers, having declared value up to Rs5,000, would be examined, checked and could be detained by the customs authorities to verify the declared values of imported goods for accurate assessment of duties and taxes.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken a major step for collecting accurate amount of duties and taxes on the import of goods by the postal or courier services based on declared value of the imported items.

The FBR has issued draft of the "De-minimis rules for imported goods" through issuance of SRO 886(I)2020 for amendments in the Customs Rules, 2001.

The new rules shall apply to the goods imported through postal service and air couriers only.

The "de-minimis value" means the value of goods up to Rs5,000 in terms of the provisions of Section 19C of the Customs Act, whereas, "postal goods" means goods cleared in terms of the provisions of Landing and Clearing of Parcels Rules as mentioned in Chapter XVI of the Customs Rules, 2001.

According to the new rules, the postal or courier authorities shall submit a separate list of the goods along with invoices and other documents if any, wherein, the declared value is up to Rs5,000.

The Customs authorities shall scrutinise the list and shall have the right to examine or detain any goods to verify the declared value or compliance to the requirements of any other law applicable thereon.

However, the postal or courier authorities shall not file goods declaration or demand payment of duty and taxes for goods with value up to Rs5,000.

The postal or courier authorities shall submit a consolidated monthly e-statement of all such clearances along with copies of invoice of the imported goods cleared under these rules to the concerned Customs authorities for reconciliation of the record in the prescribed manner.

For the purpose of application of the provisions of Section 19C of the Customs Act, 1969, the value mentioned on label of the postal good or the courier receipt shall be considered as the declared value.

For conversion of invoice value into Pak rupees, the postal or courier authorities shall take the official exchange rate of the previous day, the FBR rules added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020