Advance filing cuts cargo clearance time

KPT chief says 90% of dredging done; channel to reach 16 metres in 30-40 days

Cargo with pre-arrival Goods Declarations (GDs) is being cleared in approximately 90 hours against 296 hours for cargo without advance filing, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd) Shahid Ahmed said.

He urged importers, customs agents and clearing brokers to make pre-arrival filing standard practice, saying it could accelerate clearance, reduce terminal congestion and lower the cost of doing business. Addressing a meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he invited the chamber to submit a consolidated list of operational problems with practical recommendations and assured KPT's cooperation with Pakistan Customs, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Sindh government and other authorities.

The KPT chairman said approximately 90% of the long-pending dredging project had been completed, with the main channel deepened to around 14.5 metres. The approach channel was expected to reach 16 metres once remaining work concluded within 30-40 days, enabling the port to accommodate larger vessels.