Consignment clearance to be computerised

KARACHI: Clearance of export consignments will completely be computerised by June-end to speed up the process and increase foreign exchange earnings, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Manzoor Hussain Memon, chief collector enforcement at Pakistan Customs said the computerization of manufacturing bond started from this month. Feeding of duty and tax remission of exports through web-based one customs (WeBOC) would also begin this month, he said, talking to the members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Memon said reforms have been initiated at customs department to facilitate exports. The department is working to make WeBOC clearance possible at export processing zones. “In this regard much has already been done and this module is likely to be introduced during the next month,” he added.

The chief collector said Form-E and bank credit advice have been digitised, which reduced the incidence of fake claims and bogus exports.

He said the computerisation in customs started in 2005 and gradually it covered almost all the clearance processes. 

Memon said in the past the focus was mainly on imports and in this regard the I-Form (the electronic form for import GD) was introduced.

Pakistan customs found problems in examination for exporters at the Air Freight Unit, Karachi. “The matter has been resolved and green and yellow channels for clearance have now been operational,” he added.

The chief collector said the customs is fully prepared to facilitate exporters. But, the export target of $35 billion by 2018 is quit ambitious, he added. “What measures are the business community and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan taking to boost exports?” 

Memon said the current annual exports are $20 billion, and considering the latest trend it may further fall this year.

Regarding port congestion and levy of charges by shipping lines, he said the collectorate is trying to resolve the issue in discussion with the stakeholders.

A question raised by the clearing agents about FIR lodging against them by the customs authorities, the chief collector said an FIR should not be lodged if a clearing agent cooperates in identifying the suspicious consignee.