ANF seeks access to WeBOC

Official says it will reduce container examination time, expedite imports and exports

The Anti-Narcotics Force’s (ANF) access to the Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) and the Bill of Lading through the completion of Pakistan Single Window (PSW) project will bring down the container examination time and expedite import and export process, said ANF Deputy Director Muhammad Ayub.

He elaborated that PSW was a system based on information and communication technology (ICT), which would allow traders and transporters to lodge standardised information and documents at a single entry point to meet all import, export and transit-related requirements.

“The system will need submission of electronic information only once,” he said while speaking at a session at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday. “So far, ANF does not have access to WeBOC, which is a major reason behind delay in completing the examination procedure.”

Although Customs authorities had been requested on several occasions to grant ANF access to WeBOC, still they were reluctant to do so, he said. He added that his department had neither access to WeBOC nor to the Bill of Lading, which meant that all work was being done blindly by the ANF. He asserted that ANF was trying its best to facilitate exporters and importers by reducing the number of withheld containers.

“At the same time, no compromise is being made on performance, which can be gauged from the fact that the number of containers put on hold has been reduced to just 1.14% while 11 seizures have been made at ports in 2020 by the department,” he said.

He added that over the last three years, maximum efforts had been made under his supervision to facilitate traders by completely eradicating useless practices and reducing unnecessary paperwork.

He underlined that his department also maintained constant interaction with representatives of all trade associations and chambers of commerce so that issues being faced by the business community could be resolved on the spot.

Responding to concerns over poor repacking following ANF examination, he said cargo repacking was the responsibility of terminal authorities, who were least bothered to pay attention to the serious issue. Excluding Port Qasim where a team of professionals had been hired for cargo repacking, ANF had been receiving complaints against all other terminal operators, he highlighted.

“Although terminal operators charge an exorbitant fee in dollars, still they are least bothered to resolve the repacking issue,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2020.

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