CUSTOMS FOSTERING SUSTAINABILITY FOR PEOPLE, PROSPERITY AND THE PLANET
Pakistan Customs along with International Customs fraternity is celebrating International Customs Day (ICD) on 26 January 2020 with the slogan “Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet”. The commemorations for the Day will highlight the role and contributions of Pakistan Customs for ensuring sustainable future for its people, making right choices for inclusive economic growth and prosperity, and enforcing International conventions and obligations to save the planet.
Being the guardians of economic frontiers, Pakistan Customs has always been on the vanguard to modernize itself and keep pace with the global changes and the trends. It has successfully demonstrated its capability by implementing indigenously designed automation based trade facilitation initiatives like Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) which provides paperless processing for 90% of cross border trade. Pakistan Customs has also electronically linked itself with 14 different regulatory authorities in the country and all major commercial banks under INTRA (Integration of Regulatory Authorities) program. The enhanced integration of various agencies in the WEBOC system facilitated thejoint physical inspections of the cargos at the ports. These initiatives played a vital role for elevating Pakistan by 28 places and the country rose to 108th rank in the global ease of Doing Business rankings this year from 136 the previous year.
Recognizing the critical role of free flow of the legitimate goods-in-trade in the prosperity and wellbeing of the people, Pakistan Customs has always centered its focus to equip itself with the modern tools, gadgetries and techniques for timely interception of unsafe, unhealthy, counterfeit and environmentally hazardous goods to protect the society and the planet for their harmful effects. Pakistan Customs has developed a robust Risk Management System (RMS) to intercept the across border illegal / concealed movement of dangerous goods through formal and informal routes. In collaboration with UN Environment, Pakistan Customs got its officers trained in identification and detection of across the border movement of banned Ozone Depleting substances. The recent remarkable seizure of 18,000 Kgs of smuggled refrigerant R-22 speaks of our commitment and resolve to ensure sustainable future for the planet through implementation of Montreal Protocol. Mr. Dechen Tsering, UN Environment’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific while appreciating Pakistan Customs efforts said “It’s vital we stay vigilant. All credit to Pakistan’s Customs — for taking actions to prevent this destructive shipment from getting to its intended destination”.
Pakistan Customs also made a giant leap in the year 2017-18by framing ‘Rules’to control illegal trade of fake, counterfeit and pirated products across the borders. The Directorate General Intellectual Property Right Enforcement being cognizant of the adverse impacts of pirated / counterfeit products on human health, environment and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) constituted special teams to interdict IPR violating goods. In the ongoing financial year, the Directorate General has seized IPR violating goods of valuing Rs 146 million in 88 cases.
Asia Europe Meeting Association (ASEM) and European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) also launched the Joint Customs Operation (JCO)Hygeia. On joining JCO Hygeia in March 2019,nationwide alerts were issued across the country focusing on interdiction of IPR violating Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs). Out of 38 countries, Pakistan’s performance was at the top with 12 seizures/forfeitures. The seized goods included counterfeit Sensodyne toothpaste, Perfumes, Insecticides, Fairness & Analgesic creams, Shoe Polishes and Battery Cells etc. These efforts were highly acknowledge by MNCs i.e Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser, GSK, Toshiba, Johnsons and P&G to name but few.
| IPR’s vigilance at ports for finished goods and packaging materials is instrumental for us in curbing counterfeits. | |
| Our revenue growth during the year 2017-18 by 16% is largely due to Customs border enforcement measures. | |
| I would appreciate your department’s efforts in curtailing counterfeit imports in Pakistan. We are highly impressed by the commitment show-cased at every level of interaction with Customs. | |
| The client (Toshiba) is highly impressed by your performance, which is the highest in the region. | |
| We are pleased to see the pro-active approach of Pakistan Customs in anti-counterfeiting activities. | |
| Customs is the first line of defense against counterfeit imports. We have constantly received great support from IPR (South) in seizing thousands of counterfeit shampoo bottles |
The enforcement steps of Pakistan Customs was also applauded by Ms. Kristiane Backer, author of publication “From MTV to Mecca” on impounding fake copies of the said publication on her complaint. The fake books were printed in UK and exported to Pakistan. This case is first of its kind which has earned a great honor for Pakistan.
In order to protect its people from harmful effects of narcotics and psychotropic substances, unhealthy and unsafe edible products. Pakistan Customs anti-smuggling outfits have always been on the forefront and seized huge quantities thereof through life threatening operations. In the CFY the contribution in these areas are as under:
| Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances
(Charas, Opium, Heroin, Ice Drug etc) |
2261 Kgs | Rs. 4271 million |
| Betel Nuts | 1721 MT | Rs. 1400million |
| Gutka | 8430 MT | Rs. 352 million |
| Cigarettes | 37940Packets | Rs. 285 million |
Pakistan Customs has always accorded its foremost duty to protect local industry, an engine of employment generation and economic growth, from harmful effects of across the border informal trade. In the ongoing financial year, the Customs seized smuggled goods of valuing Rs. 12620 million which includes non-duty paid vehicles, cloth, and POL products etc.
Pakistan still needs to upgrade Information Communication Technology (ICT) based coordination and decision making among various regulatory authorities and Customs. National Single Window (NSW) is a platform that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents using a single-entry to fulfill all import, export and transit related regulatory requirements. The Prime Minister’s Office designated Pakistan Customs as the lead agency for implementation of an ICT based trade related NSW.FBR / Customs after legal gap analysis proposed a new Pakistan Single Window (PSW) law which once enacted will bring 72 regulatory authorities / departments / ministries under one platform to promote growth and business in the country by reducing its cost.
Pakistan Customs has also launched first trade facilitation program under the name and banner of “Authorized Economic Operators(AEO)”. The program has been chalked out in line with the best international practices and in accordance with WCO security standards. Under the said program, Government will certify trustworthy business entities who have a clean history of compliance with national laws and, in return, a policy of maximum facilitation by all government departments to promote growth of their businesses. Initially, AEO Program will be implemented on export stage to boost national exports and creation of jobs. Subsequently, ambit of AEO Program will be extended to other sectors of the economy for maximum facilitation.
The aforesaid initiatives of Pakistan Customs speaks of professionalism, commitment and dedication among its officers to guard the economic frontiers of the country without compromising Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet”.