In order to avoid uninvited circumstances, Pakistan Customs has directed all concerned collectorates to maintain complete record of imports for defence-oriented exhibition 'IDEAS-2012'. According to Standing Order No 2, the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Appraisement has declared the Expo Centre as customs examination site under section 80 (5) of the Customs Act, 1969.
The appraising group VII has been given a task of assessment on the basis of declarations and process the Goods Declaration (GD) as per prescribed rules without collecting any duty and taxes. The container number and seal numbers of the sealed container will be verified at the port in case of containerised cargo and marks & numbers will be verified in the case of goods contained in the packages (LCL cargo). Removal of goods to the exhibition site will be allowed under customs escort.
The MCC, Appraisement will supervise the site for exhibition purposes and will also serve as the co-ordinating collectorate amongst all the concerned collectorates. The custom's examination staff exclusively deputed for this purpose will conduct 100 percent examination of goods at the exhibition site. All imported live ammunition to be used during fire power display at PAF firing range Sonmiani/Naval will be treated as defence cargo.
All concerned collectorates will depute exclusive staff for escort and a joint team for examination of goods (imports & exports) at the exhibition premises. However, the premises will be supervised and manned by the Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Karachi.
Meanwhile, the sources said the Pakistan customs with the aim to avert any unwanted situation has ordered all concerned collectorates to maintain complete record of imports for "IDEAS 2012". They said after the conclusion of the exhibition, the customs staff would conduct 100 percent re-examination of goods at the time of export as per procedure in vogue at Expo Centre and will verify with the inventory of the exhibits.
They said the leviable duty and taxes in respect of goods consumed or retained (not covered under exemption issued by the FBR) would be deposited forthwith against the respective assessment. Answering a question, they said if the items were not exported within 30 days, the same would be treated as defence goods and would be handed over to the Army Embarkation Headquarters (EHQ) Karachi.