Customs promises to launch complaint mechanism at FPCCI to facilitate business community

KARACHI, May 27,2022- Customs authorities have promised to launch complaint mechanism at Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry – FPCCI house to Facilitate Business Community to address all the issues, concerns and complaints of the business community pertaining to customs.

It will not only promote the liaison between the customs department and the business community; but, will also expedite the complaints resolution process.

The high-powered customs delegation led by Wajid Ali, Chief Collector of MCC Appraisement (South); including, Tahir Qureshi, Collector West and Fayyaz Rasool Maken, Collector East heald a meeting with business community’s representative body FPCCI.

President FPCCI, Irfan Iqbal Sheikh has discussed the issues and anomalies endured by the business community with top customs officials in a detailed session at Federation House. He raised the issues including lack of regulation of container terminals; misuse of erstwhile FATA & PATA exemptions; delay in refunds processing; unfair demurrages charges; insufficient investment into digitalization & container scanners; inadequate diversification in HS & PCT Codes; overlooking cascading principle on raw materials and irregular consultative process with the trading community’s stakeholders are the top impediments in the smooth functioning of the customs operations.

Business community leaders present problems to Bilawal Bhutto

According to statement issued by FPCCI Irfan Iqbal Sheikh demanded formation of a regulatory authority for container terminals for a better working environment between traders and container terminals. He also expressed his profound concerns over misuse of erstwhile FATA & PATA exemptions as the phenomenon has disturbed the even-playing-field.

Business community body FPCCI head also expressed his dismay over paying technology upgradation and container scanner charges since the year 2005; but, no wide-scale upgradation has taken place as yet. He also called upon customs authorities to adopt 16-digit HS Codes to cater to the diverse imports.

Vice President of FPCCI Engr. M. A. Jabbar pointed out that tariff rationalization should be an ongoing process to adapt to the ever-changing trade & industry environment and proposed that member policy of FBR should keep consulting the stakeholders.

VP FPCCI, Shabbir Hassan Mansha demanded a focal person for FPCCI and also apprised the session that the business community faces delays in refunds as the pay orders are encashed without informing the traders; and, critical working capital is blocked due to the practice.

Convener Customs FPCCI, Saqib Fayyaz Maggo highlighted the lack of uniformity in the disposal of cases under Sections 81, 25A, 25D; on top of the excessive adjudication cases and ever-increasing demurrages charges.

Agreeing to the top demand of FPCCI, Chief Collector of MCC Appraisement (South) Wajid Ali promised that the online complaint mechanism will be launched at Federation House to address all the issues, concerns and complaints of the business community pertaining to customs. It will not only promote the liaison between the customs department and the business community; but, will also expedite the complaints resolution process.

Wajid Ali, Chief Collector of MCC Appraisement (South), informed the session that Input/Output Co-efficient Organization (IOCO) has determined the quotas for the erstwhile FATA & PATA region; hence, its misuse will be eliminated. He also committed that refunds will be swiftly processed to facilitate the traders. He added that National Single Window (NSW) will contain HS Codes in 12 digits.

Wajid Ali asked FPCCI to propose the inclusion of its representative into the classification committee and apprised that Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (ADRC) will also be refreshed. He further said that more container scanners will added on a regular basis and customs is moving towards best-practices in digitalization; however, accepted that more work needs to be done to facilitate the traders.

Wajid Ali also welcomed the recommendations of appointing a focal person for FPCCI for the greater good of business community; more proactive 90-day advanced rulings and effective implementation of protections covered under SRO 598 to already issued Bill of Lading & Letter of Credit.