New SRO Targets Delays in Goods Declaration and Removal at Ports:
ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has announced a new set of penalties under the Customs Act, 1969, aimed at curbing delays in customs procedures and improving operational efficiency at the country’s ports. Issued by the Ministry of Finance and Revenue (Revenue Division) on July 31, 2025, the notification—S.R.O. 1387(I)/2025—introduces financial penalties for importers and exporters who fail to comply with prescribed timelines for filing goods declarations and removing goods from customs stations.
Under the new rules, importers who do not file a goods declaration for home-consumption, warehousing, or transshipment within twenty days of the arrival of goods at a customs station will be fined 0.25 percent of the assessed value of the goods for each day of delay beyond the deadline.
In cases where the goods declaration is filed before the vessel has berthed, but the goods are not removed within five days following assessment and berthing, a penalty of twenty-five thousand rupees will be imposed for the first two days of delay. If the delay continues, the penalty increases to fifty thousand rupees for each subsequent day.
For declarations filed after the vessel has berthed, if the goods are not removed within five days of clearance, the importer will face a fine of fifteen thousand rupees for the first two days, followed by thirty thousand rupees for each additional day of delay.
Exporters are also subject to penalties under the new regime. If goods are not loaded onto the conveyance for export within fifteen days of entry into the port, a fine of ten thousand rupees will apply for the first two days of delay, and twenty thousand rupees for each day thereafter.
The notification also provides a discretionary clause allowing the Collector of Customs to waive penalties in unavoidable circumstances, offering some relief for businesses facing genuine logistical challenges.
These penalties will apply to goods arriving at customs stations on or after July 31, 2025.
Trade Impact and Industry Response
The new measures are expected to enhance accountability and reduce congestion at customs stations. By imposing daily fines and fixed penalties, the government aims to incentivize timely compliance and streamline the import-export process.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move as a step toward modernizing Pakistan’s trade infrastructure, though they emphasize the need for transparent enforcement and support for businesses adjusting to the new rules.