New collectorates set up

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has established six new Model Customs collectorate in a bid to discourage activities of import and export smuggling. The FBR, in this connection, has also issued SRO 2301(I) /2022.

According to a notification issued by the FBR, the new customs Collectorates have been established at the Islamabad airport, Khuzdar, Dera Ismail Khan, South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT) Karachi, Appraisement West Lahore and Appraisement East Lahore.

After the inclusion of these new Collectorates, the total number of the Model Customs Collectorates stand at 35 including seven Chief Collector of Customs offices. According to the SRO, the objective of the new Collectorate is to intensify anti-smuggling operations and improve the volume of tax generation from customs clearance and imports.

The Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement) SAPT has been given the authority to monitor all issues regarding cargo clearance including interim imports from SAPT and warehousing of goods from government and private godowns.

Under the notification, the Collector of Collectorate Customs Islamabad International Airport will be responsible for all issues pertaining to interim imports, the clearance of import and export cargoes, monitoring of the Air Freight Units (AFUs) at airports, handling of passengers and staff, luggage of passengers, monitoring of airports and terminal gates, sealing and de-sealing of shipments, ground handling agents, warehouses, anti- smuggling and anti-narcotics steps at airports, air cargo control unit (ACCU), and clearance of planes and boarding.

According to the SRO, the Collector Collectorate of Customs (Enforcement) DI Khan will have the authority to take anti-smuggling measures. It will have the responsibility to establish field units including mobile squads/check posts in particular areas. It will also monitor investigation and monitoring of goods, auctions, monitoring of dry ports and border customs stations including terminal gates.