KARACHI: Acting on a tip-off, the Customs Exports Collectorate of Port Muhammad Bin Qasim (PMBQ) has halted the clearance of eight containers belonging to M/s Steel Vision EPZ Karachi. These containers, loaded with betel nuts valued at Rs. 73.618 million, were destined for clearance into the tariff area—a significant move demonstrating the authority’s unwavering commitment to mitigating potential health risks linked to the import.
Despite multiple manually issued release orders from the Department of Plant Protection, Customs officials have so far withheld the clearance of the consignments into the tariff area. This action arises from growing concerns regarding the health hazards posed by betel nuts, scientifically known as Areca nuts and commonly referred to as Supari. Exposure to high moisture levels during prolonged sea journeys increases the risk of contamination by aflatoxins—toxic compounds produced by fungal strains such as *Aspergillus*. Alarmingly, these toxins can easily exceed permissible safety limits during transit, rendering the nuts dangerous for consumption.
The situation has raised questions about the Plant Protection Department’s decision to authorize the release of these betel nut consignments. Consequently, Customs has blocked the process to verify the authenticity of the manually issued release orders. Given the controversies and risks associated with betel nuts—a highly smuggled item—Customs officials are baffled by the unprecedented issuance of manual release orders. This highlights a pressing gap in the integration of critical departments with the WeBOC system. This leads to a vital question: Are manually issued release orders reliable enough to approve the clearance of such consignments, given the known hazards of long sea voyages and moisture exposure?
Customs authorities have expressed serious concerns about the implications of these manual release orders. They apprehend that if the Plant Protection Department fails to regulate such imports effectively and take timely action, it could encourage unscrupulous elements to exploit port clearances, potentially importing contaminated betel nuts. This would pose a significant threat to public health and legal trade.
The issue has also sparked discussions about the policies governing imports into the Export Processing Zone (EPZ). The incident serves as a wake-up call for the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) to develop a revised legal framework to reevaluate the items permitted for trading in the tariff area—a regulation that has remained unchanged for 25 years. The EPZA should establish stricter legal measures to prevent the import of betel nuts into these zones, considering their potential environmental and health risks. It is imperative for all relevant authorities to align their practices with health and safety standards, ensuring that hazardous imports do not exploit regulatory loopholes.