All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) has expressed serious concerns over collecting separate pay order for stamp duty payment at Air Freight Unit (AFU).

In a letter sent to the secretary Sindh Excise and Taxation department and Collector AFU, the APCAA termed the collection of Rs1000 per Goods Declaration (GD) by airport branch under the direction of Asst. Superintendant of Stamps, Karachi as against the mechanism agreed by all Appraisement Collectorates for clearance of goods through WeBoC.

It said that all bank branches were collecting single pay order of excise and taxation inclusive of Rs1000 per G.D on account of stamp duty vide automatic system generated duty calculation sheet by WeBoC system.

APCAA stated that there were two different systems being operated for the collection of stamp duty at AFU and seaports whereas the bank was same at all points and the system for the clearance of goods is also WeBoC at both places.

It further said that a scam for the misappropriation and embezzlement under the said was unearthed two years ago and thereafter a mechanism was developed to secure provincial government and linked this payment with the WeBoC system which was successfully operational at all bank branches.

APCAA lamented that now a separate pay order of Rs1000 on account of stamp duty at AFU was not only causing hardship to the trade but it was also creating additional burden on bank staff and expressed serious concerns on the issue.

APCAA therefore requested the authority concerned to take appropriate measures and appoint an auditor for complete audit in order to maintain transparency and to safeguard the government revenue.