ISLAMABAD: The overseas Pakistanis are entitled to import vehicles under personnel baggage scheme, transfer of residence and gift scheme who have not imported, gifted or received a vehicle during the last two years under Import Policy Order (IPO), 2022.

This has been clarified by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) on the issue of delay in clearance of vehicles by overseas Pakistanis and misuse of immigration data.

The FTO has directed the Director, Directorate of Reforms & Automation,

Karachi to develop and deploy e-CRF sent by the Collectorate of Customs, Appraisement (West), Karachi enabling the assessing officer to ensure that no goods declaration (GD) is filed on a new passport by the same importer, who has imported a vehicle on his old passport under Baggage, Transfer of Residence and Gift Scheme within the last two years.

The complaint mentioned above was filed against the Chief Collector, Appraisement (South), Karachi and Director, Directorate of Customs, Reforms & Automation, Karachi under Section 10(1) of the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000 (FTO Ordinance), regarding delay in clearance of vehicles by overseas Pakistanis and misuse of immigration data.

The Director, Directorate of Reforms & Automation, Karachi also submitted comments stating therein that the complainant has pointed out delays in clearance of vehicles due to PRC and passport verification and that the matter pertains to the clearance collectorates. The online passport verification is also provided in WeBOC System, however, if there is any other issue, an

online CRF may be forwarded for taking necessary action by the Directorate.

Presently, the WeBOC system does not allow filing of GD, if another GD is being filed on the same passport number within two years. However, there is no check if a new GD is filed on a new passport, therefore, verification of the same is carried out through Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), department stated.

During the course of hearing, the departmental representaitve from the Collectorate stated that overseas Pakistanis are entitled to import vehicles under Personnel baggage scheme, Transfer of Residence and Gift scheme who have not imported, gifted or received a vehicle during last two years in terms of proviso to Para(2) of Appendix-E of Import Policy Order, 2022. It was further stated that the WeBOC system does not allow filing of GDs, if another GD is being filed on the same passport number within two years. However, there is no check if a GD is filed on the new passport.

The Collectorate of Customs, Appraisement (West) has already forwarded e-CRF to the Directorate of Reforms & Automation, Karachi to incorporate additional checks in the WeBOC system with regard to new passports. This additionality in the system will enable the assessing officer to ensure that the import of vehicles is in compliance with the provisions of IPO, FTO order added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024