Warn of dry ports closure
By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Lahore Customs Agents Association chairman and Lahore Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry President Muhammad Amjad Chaudhry has rejected has rejected decision made in meetig held between the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and top Customs officials on February 6.
The meeting was arranged to discuss the next phase of the Faceless Assessment System
It wad decided in the meeting that the system will be implemented nationwide from July 1, 2025, stating that the centralized assessment system was first introduced in 2013 under Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC).
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Customs agents and trade bodies, who warn that it could lead to the closure of dry ports, affecting thousands of businesses and jobs.
Initially, all terminals had centralized assessments, but later, an FBR order designated each terminal as a separate Collectorate, decentralizing the process. Now, the FBR is once again shifting towards a centralized system, raising concerns among trade and industry leaders.
Amjad Chaudhry stated while a uniform system is necessary, restricting assessment to Karachi will lead to delays in cargo clearance, ultimately shutting down dry ports across the country.
He suggested that instead of Karachi being the sole assessment hub, Centralized Assessment Units should be established at every Collectorate to ensure efficient clearance while maintaining regional dry ports’ functionality.
Supporting this stance, Masood Butt, a senior Customs agents leader, and Agha Iftikhar, another prominent figure in the industry, emphasized that dry ports provide doorstep clearance facilities for businesses nationwide. Eliminating this system will not only disrupt trade but also cause massive unemployment among Customs agents, transporters, and laborers.
The Customs agents and trade representatives have urged the FBR to reconsider its decision and adopt a balanced approach that ensures efficiency without harming regional trade hubs and employment.
Read also: Dry ports crisis: Customs Association highlights operational challenges and revenue losses
The agents leadership qouted a statement saying that all clearance assessments at dry ports across the country will be centralized under the Centralized Assessment Unit in Karachi.
Relevant Customs Collectorates and departments have been instructed to fully implement this system.
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