FBR sets new system for Customs

Directorate will operate Cross-border Currency Movement Wing

KARACHI:

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a formal notification after setting up a new system and jurisdiction for the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Risk Management.

According to the notification, the headquarters of this directorate will be in Islamabad, while its regional offices will be located in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad. The directorate will also operate a Risk Management Unit and a Cross-border Currency Movement Wing.

Under the new system, the Director General of Customs Intelligence will have authority across the country and will report directly to the FBR. The responsibilities of the Director General will include preventing smuggling, taking action against money laundering, identifying irregularities in imports and exports, risk management through modern systems, and gathering intelligence.

Regional directors will be authorised to conduct intelligence operations in their respective provinces against smuggling, duty and tax evasion, and other illegal activities. The Risk Management Unit will work nationwide to identify and prevent risks during imports and exports, while the Cross-border Currency Movement Wing will be responsible for stopping illegal currency movements across borders.

As per the notification, all resources, employees, and budgets of the old Customs Intelligence offices have been transferred to the new Directorate General of Intelligence and Risk Management. Furthermore, the FBR has formed a special committee to address any difficulties arising during implementation. This committee will prepare and submit its report within 30 days.

According to the notification, the director general's responsibilities will also include strategic leadership, risk management and compliance strategy, intelligence gathering, operations of the National Targeting Centre, supervision of the Customs risk management system, training, and performance monitoring.

The director of headquarters and targeting will oversee the administrative and analytical functions of the National Targeting Centre.