20000128

Customs ECS not to apply

to second-hand

items

MUZAFFAR QURESHI

KARACHI: The Express Clearance System (ECS) being introduced by the Collectorate of Customs (Appraisement) from February 1, 2000 for expeditious release of imports will not apply to second-hand and reconditioned items including scrap as well as chemicals requiring laboratory test and items imported for the first time. It will also not apply to bills of entry filed prior to arrival of vessels.

This was stated at a seminar on the ECS organised by the Customs Collectorate in collaboration with the Pakistan Revenue Automation Ltd. (PRAL) on Thursday to apprise the clearing agents of the procedures for the new system. The seminar, which was presided by Additional Collector Nasir Musroor, was addressed by PRAL Senior Project Manager Imtiaz Ahmed.

Addressing the seminar Imtiaz Ahmed said that the new system was based on Selectivity and Risk Assessment (SARA) entirely controlled by a computer system developed by PRAL.

Under this system of clearance, expeditious assessment is done by maximising the use of computers and minimising the contact between taxpayer and the assessing officer. The bills of entry allowed express clearance will be taken directly to cash section instead of going through the Appraising Officer saving a lot of time for the importer.

The Express Clearance System (ECS) will initially be available to four categories of imports without claiming any exemptions. These include:

(i) Selected importers already enjoying the Express Lane Facility.

(ii) Imports made by federal, provincial governments, state owned corporations and local bodies. For their identification, separate computer codes are allotted which may be used in place of CCI&E number on the bill of entry.

(iii) All items chargeable to specific rate of Customs duty (excluding composite rates).

(iv) All items charageable to zero statutory rate of customs duty whether or not claiming sales tax exemption under 6th schedule.

Disqualifications:

Bills of entry falling under the following categories will be disqualified by the computer from the ECS and these will be processed under the normal procedure i.e. through Appraising officers.

(i) Entries filed for blocked importers.

(ii) Entries filed by blocked/expired clearing agents.

(iii) Entries where required columns are not properly filled.

(iv) Entries which do not conform to the IGM information already available

in the computer system.

(v) Entries automatically selected by computer based on various aspects

for detailed scrutiny.

(vi) Entries in which duties and taxes calculated by the clearing agent

are beyond a limit notified by Customs.

Validity:

Once the bill of entry is allowed by the computer for express clearance it will remain valid for three clear working days, last validity date is printed on the final print generated by the computer. After expiry of this date, the bill of entry should be processed by the concerned group, for assessment, before payment of duties and taxes.