KARACHI: Importers and clearing agents are facing immense difficulties in the clearance of consignments at off-dock terminals - AICT, POML, and Bay West terminals, compelling them to bear the additional financial costs on their shipments.

According to the letter issued by Qamar Ul Islam acting chairman All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA), AICT, POML, and Bay West Terminals are creating unnecessary delays in the clearance of the consignments due to negligence and delay in offloading of the goods. Qamar Ul Isalm is of the view that off-dock terminals are deliberately slowing the process of offloading the goods due to heavy charges.

Furthermore, he alleged that these off-dock terminals have increased the charges without any prior intimation and added that LCL cargo charges were much higher than port charges. “These terminals have an inadequate professional workforce that led to heavy financial losses to business community,” he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022