The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with commercial importers, have called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to urgently address the mounting clearance backlog at ports.
Salim Valimohammad, Chairman of the Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association, has appealed to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial to resolve the delays in customs clearance. He warned that continued backlogs could result in significant financial losses for importers due to demurrage and detention charges.
Valimohammad further requested that the FBR monitor the status of imported consignments on a daily basis, stressing the importance of timely clearance to expedite the resolution of the backlog.
While acknowledging the improvements brought by the Faceless Customs Clearance Assessment system, Valimohammad emphasized the need for proper staff training before its full implementation on December 15, to prevent further delays and the accumulation of container backlogs.
He highlighted the critical situation at ports, where thousands of containers remain stuck, and called for extended service hours, including Saturdays and Sundays, to clear these containers promptly.
Although he recognized the benefits of the faceless customs clearance system, Valimohammad noted that adequate administrative preparations were necessary before its rollout to ensure the efficient and timely processing of consignments.
Expressing concern over the ongoing backlog, Valimohammad attributed the issue to a lack of administrative capacity within the new system. He cautioned that this lack of preparation has led to a large buildup of imported goods at ports, creating a serious risk of financial losses for importers.
