KARACHI: The data regarding processing of Goods Declarations (GDs) in relation to the value of declared goods against these declarations suggests an abnormal pattern particularly at Taftan Quetta dry port, as the value of imported goods is constantly declining despite multiple time increase in the number of GDs.
According to details, in July-February 2012-13, Taftan dry port processed 5,686 GDs while import value of goods against these GDs was Rs24.789 billion. In the same period of 2013-14, the number of GDs processed increased by 231 percent to 18,863 while the value of imports against these declarations declined by 33.76 percent to Rs16.419 billion. Similarly in July-February 2014-15 the number of GDs processed increased further to 25,451 but the value of imported goods against these declarations declined to Rs13.713 billion.
It may be mentioned here that consignments land at Karachi and these are transported to dry ports in bonded carriers, which costs them around Rs20,000 extra for transportation. If these consignments are cleared at Karachi, the importers could save this additional transport cost. After being cleared from dry ports, these consignments generally come back to Karachi for consumption. An official said that the authorities should ban the transportation of these goods back to Karachi.
It is known that these consignments are taken to dry ports for a number of reasons including pilferage of consignments enroute to the dry ports. Besides, the importers in connivance with certain quarters commit under-invoicing, mis-declaration of classification and most importantly under-declare the weight of goods to evade duty and taxes.
Hyderabad Larkana Dry port processed 312 GDs for imported goods worth Rs21.95 billion in July-February 2012-13 while 283 GDs were processed in the same period of 2013-14 for goods worth Rs24.032 billion and 318 GDs for goods worth Rs16.186 billion were processed in July-February 2014-15.
The pattern suggests that despite the increase in the number of Goods Declarations the value of imported goods is declining significantly. Sources said that there were a couple of dry ports, which were quite hot, and large scale duty/tax evasion through mis-declaration, under-invoicing, under-declaration of weight and pilferage of goods was being carried out at these dry ports.
As far as Chaman dry port is concerned, it processed 10,412 GDs in July-February 2013-14 for goods worth Rs3.106 billion. But, in the same period of 2014-15, the number of GDs surged 26 percent to 13,110 while the value of goods against these declarations declined by 10.6 percent to Rs2.777 billion.