20000418

Export consignments

Customs extends

examination

time till 8 p.m.

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Collectorate of Customs (Export) has extended the time for examination of export consignments presented on the last loading day till 8.00 p.m at the Karachi Port and Port Qasim.

The decision was taken in response to a request made by Bilal Mulla, the Chairman of the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (Prgmea) South Zone who at a meeting had informed Collector Munir Qureshi that due to frequent power breakdown and other unforeseen factors, export consignments were generally delayed and reached the ports in the evening. The Custom staff refused examination of consignment which did not enter the Port area before 7.00 p.m. This prevented shipment of a number of consignments which missed the vessel on the last loading day., he said, which might result in cancellation of export orders or invoke penalties.

The Prgmea suggested introduction of two shifts of Customs staff from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight for clearance of export cargo. It said that the Collectorate must appoint necessary staff to provide exporter 16 hours clearance facility as provided by Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) at Port Qasim. The Prgmea further suggested that in the event of shortage of funds, the Collectorate might collect some overtime charges from the exporters to pay to the staff working in late evenings.

Bilal Mulla thanked the Collector Export for accepting the suggestions made by Prgmea and taking prompt decision in the best interest of exports.

The Prgmea delegation which called on the Collector also included Naim Suria, Asif Abdullah and Abdur Rehman.