KARACHI: In a significant development, the Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) has taken decisive steps following a meeting with the Chief Collector Appraisement South. The actionable points discussed during the meeting aim to enhance efficiency and address critical issues within the customs system.
Here are the key decisions made during the meeting:
Lab Committee Meetings:
The KCAA will approach the CoC (West) to convene meetings of the Lab Committee. These meetings will focus on addressing laboratory-related matters promptly.
The Association commits to providing relevant issues for discussion to the Collector at least one week before each scheduled meeting.
WeBOC Module Enhancement:
The proposal to create a dedicated folder in the WeBOC module for assessing and examining officers was discussed.
This folder will include all previous lab reports available in the WeBOC system, along with corresponding GD numbers.
The Association will submit detailed written information about this proposal, and the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (SAPI) will assess its feasibility for implementation.
Examination Requests:
Assistant and Deputy Collector groups have been directed to ensure that examination requests are approved only when specific reasons are provided by the requesting officers.
The ACs will also provide reasoning for approving or rejecting such requests.
Strict Compliance with NOC Issuance:
Repeated directions have been issued to relevant ACs/DCs regarding issuing NOCs for manual removal of RO holds due to incorrect IPO conditions at gate-out stage.
Officers are instructed to issue NOCs without referring the matter to junior officers.
Referral of GDs:
GDs should not be referred to the PA Group by AOs or to the AC Group by PAs without specific reasons.
Any GD referred without detailed reasoning will require a written explanation from the respective AO or PA.
The Association will provide a list of such GDs submitted between 16.10.2023 and 31.10.2023 for proper monitoring.
Scrutiny of HS Code Discrepancies:
The Association will provide details of GDs where discrepancies exist between the HS Code declared by importers and that found in the FI.
Customs raised these discrepancies during the period from 01.10.2023 to 14.10.2023, and further scrutiny is necessary.
Future Consideration of FI Requirement:
The matter of requiring FI from pre-GD file stage to pre-gate out stage will be examined.
If feasible, it will be referred to the Board for favorable consideration.
A committee comprising Collectors of Customs Appraisement (East, West & SAPT) will assess legal and procedural implications, with a report due by 31.10.2023.
Formal Requests for Provisional Clearance:
Importers/clearing agents seeking provisional clearance against pay order (no Bank Guarantee acceptable) must present formal requests.
The Collector will decide based on legal requirements.
Income Tax Requirement in the System:
The Association will submit a separate request regarding Income Tax requirements to the Directorate of Reforms & Automation.
Unauthorized Personnel Prevention:
Collectors are urged to ensure that no unauthorized individuals participate in official Collectorate activities.
Additional Collectors may be required to provide written explanations in case of future complaints, particularly at examination yards.
These decisions reflect a proactive approach towards streamlining customs processes and ensuring transparency within Karachi’s customs operations.