Karachi: In a transformative move aimed at boosting accountability and ensuring meticulousness in customs declarations, the Customs Department has announced the introduction of a new performance monitoring system for Customs Clearing Agents. This innovative system is set to go live on 04th February, 2025, marking a significant stride towards enhancing transparency and accuracy within the customs clearing process.
The primary objective of this new system is to address the prevalent issue of misdeclarations. The system employs a sophisticated comparison mechanism that juxtaposes the declared versions of Goods Declaration (GD) and Supplementary Declaration (SD) with their assessed versions. This rigorous comparison aims to pinpoint discrepancies and ensure that the declarations are in strict compliance with the regulatory standards.
Under the new system, each licensed customs agent will commence with an initial score of 50 points. This score will serve as a baseline, with points being deducted for any infractions identified in the declarations. The system will evaluate violations across five critical parameters:
1. **Quantity:** Ensuring that the declared quantity matches the actual quantity.
2. **Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT):** Verifying the accuracy of the tariff codes used.
3. **Origin:** Confirming the correct declaration of the origin of goods.
4. **Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO):** Ensuring adherence to the applicable SRO provisions.
5. **Contraventions:** Identifying any other regulatory contraventions.
In an effort to foster a culture of accuracy and diligence, the system also incorporates a reward mechanism. Customs agents who consistently submit accurate declarations will be acknowledged and rewarded based on a system-generated matrix. This dual approach of penalties for infractions and rewards for accuracy is designed to incentivize best practices and minimize errors in the customs clearing process.
The implementation of this new performance monitoring system underscores the Customs Department’s commitment to modernizing its operations and enhancing efficiency. By leveraging advanced technology and data-driven insights, the department aims to establish a robust framework for customs declarations that upholds the highest standards of accuracy and compliance.
Customs officials and industry stakeholders have welcomed this initiative, expressing optimism that it will contribute to a more streamlined and transparent customs process. As the system rolls out, it is anticipated that customs clearing agents will adapt to these new measures, ultimately leading to an overall improvement in the integrity and reliability of customs declarations.
The Customs Department has assured that comprehensive training and support will be provided to customs clearing agents to ensure a smooth transition to the new system. This initiative is part of a broader effort to align Pakistan’s customs operations with international best practices and to facilitate trade by reducing the incidence of errors and discrepancies in customs declarations.