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pAkiSTAN’S FirST iNDepTH NewSpAper oN CuSTomS
Daily
Vol 1 Issue No. 247
Karachi, Fri November 27, 2015
KARACHI
AFTAB CHANNA
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he staff of the Model Customs Collectorate Preventive has arrested an ofPicial of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and recovered 1,264 cellular phones and 10 bottles of foreign liquor from
Price Rs. 14.00
his possession at the Jinnah International Airport Karachi. Sources told Customs Today that the customs authorities intercepted a PIA employee namely Fida Hussain who landed at the airport from a PIA Plight from Turbat. While searching, the authorities recovered huge quantity of cellular phones and foreign liquor from his custody. The market value of the seized items is stated to be around Rs 60 to 70 million. In this regard, Customs Preventive Collector Syed Tariq Huda would brief the media about the details of the seized items and those arrested at a press conference to be held on Thursday at 4pm.
FBR transfers US army cargo case to Collector Wasif Memon
Federal Revenue Alliance Employees Union felicitates new FBR chairman
Bosan calls for lifting ban on live cattle import from France
DG Customs Valuation determines values of synthetic rubber NBR, SBR
Govt should make business-oriented polices: RCCI President Mian Humayun
The FBR has transferred the adjudication proceedings of the US | See pAge 02 |
The FBR’s Federal Revenue Alliance Employees Union (CBA) has extended | See pAge 03 |
French Ambassador Martine Dorance called on for Hayat Bosan | See pAge 04 |
DG of Customs Valuation has determined the customs value | See pAge 12 |
The potential of GSP Plus status given to Pak more than one and half years | See pAge 09 |
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Excise impounds unregistered car of Saima Khan Friday, November 27, 2015
National
LAHORE: The Excise and Taxation Department motor branch has impounded an unregistered vehicle of stage actress Saima Khan but later it was released after payment of Rs 50,000 as guarantee amount and assurance. As per details, the excise officials intercepted a vehicle at a check post near Township, which was driven by Saima Khan. The officials asked her to produce the documents regarding the registration of the vehicle but she could not. Therefore, the officials impounded the vehicle while the actress left the seizure place. Later, her sister reached the scene and paid Rs 50,000, besides assuring the staff of getting registration of vehicle soon.
FBr transfers uS army cargo case to Collector wasif memon
KARACHI
KARACHI
muHAmmAD YouSAF
AFTAB CHANAN
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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the customs authorities to provisionally release a consignment of styrene-butadiene rubber within three days. A division bench of the SHC gave this direction while hearing a petition filed by Muhammad Shahid and Muhammad Shakir who challenged the valuation rates of the rubber. The court observed that it had already issued a verdict directing Pakistan Customs to provisionally release consignments under Section 81 of the Customs Act, 1969 in all such cases where valuation ruling is impugned. The court; therefore, directed the petitioners to approach the customs authorities for provisional release of the consignments. The court further directed the authorities to release the consignment within three days after the petitioners make payment of duty and taxes assessed at admitted value and deposit differential amount. The petitioners’ counsel submitted that his clients imported consignment of SBR, declaring it as per its transaction value in terms of Section 25(1) of the Customs Act 1969.
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he Federal Board of Revenue FBR has transferred the adjudication proceedings of the US army reverse commercial cargo case from Collector Adjudication-II to Collector Adjudication-I for early disposal and logical end to the ongoing case, it is learnt. The United States, Consulate General Karachi, and other nominated accused of the US Army reverse cargo case had raised objection and refused to appear before Collector Adjudication-II Chaudhary Muhammad Javed. The accused were continuously served upon notices. However, they did not bother to appear before the adjudicating authorities to justify their role in the case. However, now after the FBR made several transfer and postings in the recent past. Sources claimed that the US Consulate and other accused in the case objected to the posting of Collector Adjudication-II Chaudhary Muhammad Javed. It may be mentioned here that Collector Adjudication-II Chaudhary Muhammad Javed was the person who detected the US Army reverse cargo case at the time when he was holding the post of Additional Director Transit Trade-Karachi, sources added. According to
SHC directs customs to release consignment of rubber within 3 days
sources, Collector Adjudication, after their objections, had written a letter to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) informing the Board about the objection by the nominated accused of the case. “These people (accused) are of
the opinion that Chaudhary Muhammad Javed does influence the case as the case was prepared by him when he was Additional Director”, the sources further said. Sources further said that Collector Chaudhary Muhammad Javed re-
quested the Board either to transfer the case to the Adjudication-I Collectorate or transfer him so that the much-awaited case of US Army reverse cargo be disposed off and those involved be brought to justice.
FBr recovers rs 870m taxes from piA KARACHI
AFTAB CHANNA
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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has recovered Rs 870 million from the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) against the outstanding dues under the head of taxes/duties of Rs 1.70 billion. Earlier, the national Plag car-
rier had assured the payment of at least Rs 300 million by September 30, 2015; however the authorities failed to keep their assurance. It is recalled here that on September 30, 2015, the authorities of the FBR and PIA held a detailed negotiation at the PIA headquarters. The FBR was represented by Chief Commissioner Mohammad Irshad while the PIA was represented by Chief Financial OfPicer Nayyar. “The PIA authorities have assured that they would ensure pay-
ment of Rs 300 million pending taxes/duties by September 30 evening while the remaining amount would be paid off by October 5, 2015. However, the management after the deadline started using delaying tactics while the said amount was deducted from frozen accounts of the PIA”, sources told Customs Today. The four bank accounts operated by PIA at Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and were frozen for recovery
of Rs1.2 billion of income tax and Rs 1 billion of federal excise duty, sources added. The FBR on May 30 served two notices of FED and Income Tax to PIA for the recovery of principal amount of around Rs1.4 billion. The latest recovery included the Pine and penalties as well. In the FED notice, the FBR directed the PIA to pay the outstanding FED amount of Rs876.81 million in respect of international passengers immediately and proof of payment should be provided to concerned tax ofPice by
June 03, 2015. The notice further said that the PIA was in default of Rs443.69 million for the tax period December 2014 and Rs433.11 million for tax period January 2015 as per its own calculation provided to concerned tax ofPice. The amounts were due on April 15, 2015 and May 15, 2015 respectively, but the same had not been paid. In the income tax notice, the notice for personal attendance issued to chief Pinancial ofPicer and assistant manage corporate tax of PIA.
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IHC dismisses sales tax reference filed against customs official ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed a sales tax reference filed against senior officer of Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad. A division bench of the IHC comprising of Justice Noor-ul-Haq Qureshi and Justice Aamer Farooq dismissed the case for non-prosecution. PKP Kadanwari Limited had filed the case against collector customs, sales tax. Advocate Hafiz Muhammad Idress represented the customs department in the court. The bench dismissed the case since the appellant was not pursuing the court’s proceedings.
Customs Court extends judicial remand of m Sadiq
Friday November 27, 2015
National
Federal revenue Alliance employees union felicitates new FBr chairman
LAHORE
m imrAN meHAr
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he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 14 cases on Wednesday and issued necessary orders and directions in number of cases. As per details, 14 cases of different types were scheduled for hearing, including nine applications for pre-arrest bail of accused persons named Safdar Iqbal, Arbab Khan, Muzammal Hussain, Ashaar Hussain and others. After hearing the arguments of parties, the court rejects some bail pleas, besides adjourning the others till next hearing. Customs court extended judicial remand of accused Muhammad Sadiq allegedly involved in smuggling case.
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inquiry against 400 FBr officials at final stages ISLAMABAD
SHAHiD miNHAS
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he departmental inquiry against 400 officers of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is in the final stage. According to the details, these officials of BS 16 to 21 are under the cloud of investigation following the charges of misconduct, incompetence and corruption etc. Sources added that FBR has around 20,000 employees under BS-15 and during the tenure of former chairman Tariq Bajwa almost investigation against almost 700 officers being conducted out of which 100 faced major penalties, while other faced minor. They added that FBR has also halted the performance allowance of several officials on not filing their assets details for the year 2013-14. The officers who were settled in foreign countries have also been dismissed from the services.
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ISLAMABAD
m FAiZAN
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he FBR’s Federal Revenue Alliance Employees Union (CBA) has extended heartfelt felicitation to the newly appointed FBR Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan. In his facilitation message, FBREU President Saeed Ahmad hoped that the new chairman will work for the betterment and progress of the FBR employees. He said that assumption of Chairman ofPice from an ofPicial of Pakistan Revenue Service is a good news. He assured chairman FBR Nisar Mohammad Khan that he will extend his full support in his decisions which he will to enhance the performance of FBR. He said that federal government decision to appoint Nisar Mohammad Khan as chairman FBR is purely on merit base. Meanwhile, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is set to meet target of 1 million Pilers of tax returns while efforts are afoot to take the Pigure to 1.8 million within a year. This was stated by Inland Revenue Policy Member Rehmatullah Wazir, while briePing ofPicers of National Defence University (NDU) during their visit to FBR. Customs Member Nasir Masroor Ahmed also spoke on the occasion and gave the visiting ofPicers an overview of the roles and responsibilities of Pakistan Customs
Service in enhanced revenue mobilisation, trade facilitation and effective border management. Rehmatullah Wazir said that FBR has written to all secretaries in the federal government, provincial governments and heads of semi-government and autonomous bodies as well as to those in the private sector, to ensure that their employees Pile their annual income tax returns this year. “We believe that this measure can help us get around 800,000 new Pilers,” he
Chairman office from an official of pakistan revenue Service is a good news. He assured chairman FBr Nisar mohammad khan that he will extend his full support in his decisions which he will to enhance the performance of FBr.
Court summons io in iranian diesel smuggling case KARACHI
AFTAB CHANNA
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he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling on Wednesday summoned the investigation ofPicer in a case pertaining to smuggling Iranian high speed diesel. According to the prosecution, Pakistan Customs’ Anti-Smuggling Or-
ganization had seized 12,000 liters of smuggled Iranian high speed diesel stored in an oil tanker from Sukkur and arrested alleged smuggler Deedar Hussain on November 13. During the hearing, Advocate Syed Zulifqar Shah, the counsel for the accused, told the court that Deedar is pleading guilty to the crime and throwing himself on the mercy of the court. Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi perused the case Pile and observed that different estimated amount of duty and taxes involved in the case were mentioned in the FIR
and charge-sheet. Therefore, the court summoned the investigation ofPicer of the case to apprise it of the actual amount. Meanwhile, The Special Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling on Tuesday directed suspects to cooperate in investigation of the cases pertaining to the pilferage of US Army reverse cargo. Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi gave this direction when the investigation ofPicers complained that the accused persons, who are out on bail, are not cooperating with them.
said. Wazir said FBR is striving to create distinction between Pilers and non-Pilers by raising the cost of doing business for non-Pilers, adding that the imposition of bank withholding tax was a step in this direction. Similarly, over Rs 240 billion worth of subsidies and tax exemptions have been done away with by the present government in order to expand the tax base, to mobilise greater revenues and bring about uniformity in the tax environment, he added.
Taufeeq Butt arrested in gold smuggling scam he Lahore Customs authorities have arrested Taufeeq Butt after Customs Court cancelled his bail plea. Three other persons who were involved in this scam were also taken into custody. It is pertinent to mention here, that Taufeeq Butt was arrested by Customs authorities deployed at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore when he was attempting to smuggle 10 kilograms gold.
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ECC allows TCP to sell balance lint cotton stock Friday, November 27, 2015
Business
ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet was held here. Finance Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting. On a proposal of Ministry of Commerce, the ECC allowed TCP to sell balance lint cotton stock available with them on retail daily basis at minimum of the KCA spot rate for the day through Commission Agent(s) whose services may be hired by TCP through open tender. The ECC also approved the proposals of Ministry of Water and Power, to allow WAPDA to raise commercial financing of Rs 144 billion for Dasu-I project, and Rs 100 billion for Neelum Jehlum Hydropower Project, from local banks.
kSe loses another 133pts to close at 33067 as bearish trend persists KARACHI
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he Karachi Stock Exchange Thursday started with positive note but went to negative as benchmark KSE-100 index shed 133 points or 0.40 per cent to close at 33066.86 points level. The market witnessed the highest trading level of 33437.80 points and lowest level of 33055.96 points, with the total volume of
punjab to manage compensation funds
200,055,925
shares,
having
Bosan calls for lifting ban on live cattle import from France
LAHORE
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ISLAMABAD
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he Punjab government yesterday claimed that it will manage funds to compensate Sundar factory victims at all costs. Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif last week announced Rs2 million for the family of each decease and Rs500,000 for each injured. Under the Punjab Workmen Compensation Act, the factory owner is bound to pay Rs400,000 in case of death of an on-duty worker.
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Rs10,018,302,206 value. As many
as 345 companies were active; of which 134 advanced, 189 declined and 22 remained unchanged. Oil & Gas marketing companies was the top traded sector with total traded volume of 28,693,550 shares, while the Technology & Communication was second largest trading sector with the total volume of 16,711,000 shares. The three top traded companies were Sui South Gas with a volume of 18,096,000 and price per share of 43.91 (0.88), TRG Pak Ltd with a volume 11,110,500 of price per share of 38.75 (-0.29), Sui North Gas with a volume 9,275,500 of price per share of 30.50 (0.38).
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rench Ambassador Martine Dorance Wednesday called on Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan and discussed matters of mutual interest, especially lifting of ban on import of live cattle and bovine meat from France to Pakistan.
The minister said that France being a “negligible risk country” was free to export live cattle and meat to Pakistan. He highlighted that import of live animals was banned from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) infected countries since June 2001 that included France as well. The policy, he said, was revised in 2014 and import of live cattle from countries declared as “Negligible Risk” by International Animal Health Organization (OIE) was allowed. However, this was subjected to the condition that animals come from such herds where no incidence
of BSE has been reported for the last 11 years, he added. The minister reiterated that import of live cattle was allowed from 41 BSE Negligible Risk countries, including France, but the exporting country would have to certify above mentioned condition. The meat, he said, could be exported to Pakistan only after fulPilling health/sanitary and Halal certiPication as per OIE guidelines and international standards. Bosan said Pakistan imported over 6,000 dairy cows annually and offered equal opportunities to all BSE Negligible Risk countries.
kp warns Centre over CpeC route ‘rigging’ PESHAWAR
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he Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on Wednesday alleged that the federal government was conspiring to deprive the province of its due share in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative despite all its announcements and commitments. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak told a meeting held at the CM Secretariat that the province has decided to stage widespread protests against what he called the deceitful act on the part of the federal government. He announced that every relevant forum would be knocked at by his government to protect the rights of the province. He said that all parliamentary parties in the provincial assembly would be taken on board for this ‘unprecedented’ protest campaign. The chief minister threatened to withdraw his government’s cooperation being extended to execute the CPEC project until reservations of the province are not removed. “We can even stop the land acquisition process for the KP portion of the project,” he warned. akhtunkhwa Ulasi Tehreek leader Dr Said Alam Mahsood said that federal government had allocated a share of only 1.4% for the KP province, contrary to Punjab’s 80.4% out of the total budget allocation of Rs 359 billion.
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wHT issue likely to be resolved by month-end: TDAp chief LAHORE
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rade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive S M Muneer Wednesday said that the issue of withholding tax on bank transactions is likely to be resolved by the end of this month. He said that Pakistani exports are experiencing a decline due to international recession. He said
that exports are declining in terms of amount, not in terms of quantity and all efforts are being done by the government to increase exports. He was addressing a meeting here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, Senior Vice President Almas Hyder, former presidents Iftikhar Ali Malik and Ijaz Butt also spoke on the occasion while former vice president Kashif Anwar and Executive Committee
members were present on the occasion. While elaborating the point, he said those commodities prices in the international market are going down therefore Pakistani goods are earning less foreign exchange. He claimed that India and China are also experiencing decline in exports. Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that continuous fall in exports is a matter of concern. He said our exports remained limited to $
24.6 billion, $25.1 billion and $24.7 during the year 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. Unlike Pakistan, the regional countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have otherwise excelled in exports”, the LCCI President added. The LCCI President urged the CEO TDAP to evolve a policy regarding Pak-China Economic Corridor project that is bound to bring immeasurable opportunities of trade for us. He also sought the TDAP support for the LCCI interna-
tional delegations for exploring new markets. The LCCI President said that Pakistan has signed various FTAs and PTAs with many countries but overall we have somewhat failed to greatly benePit as compared to our foreign counterparts. “We should revisit these agreements and deeply study the market conditions o increase our exports in real terms ensuring win-win situation for both the countries”, Sheikh Muhammad Arshad concluded.
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he federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will defend its decision of levying 0.2 percent withholding tax on bank transactions before the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue today (Thursday). In this regard, FBR has prepared comprehensive briePing for the committee along with set of briefs which have been received by the secretariat of concerned committee. Last Friday, National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, after election of new Chairman, decided to get briePing from the Chairman FBR on 0.2% withholding tax, stalled payment of sales tax refund by FBR as well as on implementation status of the subsidy being provided by the government to farmers under Kissan Package announced by the Prime Minister. A well-placed ofPicial source at FBR told this scribe here on Wednesday that FBR was of the stance that withholding tax on cash withdrawal
and bank transactions was a form of advance taxation and such a mode of tax collection was also called the presumptive tax regime. In this regard, Section 231-A of the Income tax ordinance 2001 of Pakistan is reproduced here which imposes tax on cash withdrawal from the bank account. As per section 231A-cash withdrawal from a bank every bank shall deduct tax at the rate speciPied in Division VI of Part IV of the Pirst schedule, if the payment for cash withdrawal or the sum total of the payments for cash withdrawal in a day, exceeds Pifty thousand rupees. The Finance Act 2013 in Pakistan has made certain changes increased the rate of withholding tax on cash withdrawal from 0.2% to 0.3%. In budget 2014-15 withholding tax rate was proposed to be increased by 0.2% to make it 0.5% per transaction for transactions above Rs.50, 000…but it remained same as last year i.e. 0.3%. WHT is not applicable on IBFT (Inter Bank Funds Transfer) i.e. if a customer transfers any amount from his bank account to another bank another account WHT will not be applied as the money remains in banking system of Pakistan or
with the SBP. Similarly, Chairman of the co mittee Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh also conPirmed this scribe that members of the committee h serious reservations over WHT because this sue had been stalled national economy due tussle between the traders’ community and g ernment. Therefore, will try to look into reasons behind the imposition of this tax” observed adding that committee would also t up other agenda items including stalled p ment of sales tax refund by FBR as well as on plementation status of the subsidy being p vided by the government to farmers un Kissan Package announced by the Prime Min ter. It is pertinent to note here that on Octo 12, this year, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar af meeting with a delegation of traders’ commun announced that WHT on bank transaction is pected to be reduced by 0.2% while tax-f transaction threshold can also be raised by R 00,000. Federal Minister Ishaq Dar ensu traders during negotiations, which was held Islamabad that their issues will solve soon a more and more steps will be taken in order provide facilities to the business community
omd to had s ise to govthe � he take payimproder nisober fter nity s exfree Rs.1, ured d in and r to y.
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Founder & Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Editor rahil Yasin editor@customsbulletin.com.pk For advertising & subscription marketing@customsbulletin.com.pk www.customsbulletin.com Phones: 042-35781643-4, Fax: 042-35781645 Address: 627, Siddiq Trade Centre, Gulberg, Lahore
eDiToriAL
utilisation of black money
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orruption is a legacy of the colonial era spanning over a couple of centuries in this land and it is one of the major hurdles in the way of development. Unfortunately, every government has tried to curb corruption, but it always took action against corrupt elements rather than corruption. Corruption is a habit, a custom or an illegal system which has penetrated in every institution of the country. In other words, corruption has been institutionalized. The best way to stop corruption is to develop a mechanism to stop usage of the illegal money. The lacunae in laws to curb money laundering and to purchase real estate give a safe passage to the corrupt elements to use their illegal money and walk free. The government must plug the loopholes in the law and prevailing official system before assailing corrupt elements. However, the policymakers only concentrate on the collection of revenue rather than developing a mechanism to not only increase government revenues, but also streamline the tax collection affairs. According to news reports, the federal and the provincial governments are going to adopt a new mechanism to classify the immovable property in different categories and revise and update its value every year. The Federal Board of Revenue has already endorsed a proposal of the Tax Reform Commission on the valuation and revaluation of the immovable property. The new mechanism is aimed at stopping the tendency of undervaluation of the property which is in practice to avoid payment of duties and taxes. However, the government is considering enacting a law to provide another mechanism to confiscate a property held by unnamed owners and transaction of money in the name of unidentified recipients. A draft of Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act 2015 has already been prepared for the purpose. It is important to note that unnamed transaction is an arrangement in which a property is held by a person on behalf of another person who has paid for it or a transaction is made for a property in a fictitious name or the owner of the property denies to knowledge the ownership of the property. It is a good omen that the government is on the way to stop the usage of the corrupt money.
Challenges to economy and resilience T
LAHORE
Dr AFTAB AFZAL
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he country has been facing various challenges, including threatened security and sagging economy, due to some unavoidable factors at home and conspiracies by external forces, especially by India against the state of Pakistan. There is a need to implement writ of the government in various regions of the country where insurgency is on the rise and smuggling of goods and drugs is threatening security and economy of the country. According to a report of the Legatum Institute, Pakistan has shown remarkable resilience against terrorism and will mud-
dle through the myriads of vexing challenges in future. The report ranks Pakistan at 130th on the Global Prosperity Index out of 142 countries in the world. The report says that Pakistan has shown itself as a source and recipient of instability, but it has also been remarkably resilient. As a matter of fact, the conflicting reports about Pakistan and its economy seem a kind of subterranean move by India and other hostile nations to degrade one of the most powerful Islamic countries in the world. According to the report, ever since Bhutan launched Gross National Happiness Index in 1972, many other countries followed the suit by readjusting and realigning their socio-economic
programmes. The countries have included healthcare and education services, life expectancies, poverty and employment rates in the broader definition of national prosperity while the index is formulated on the logic that prosperity is more than just the accumulation of material wealth. The index comprises eight categories which are — economy, entrepreneurship and opportunity, governance, education, health, safety and security, personal freedom and social capital. Norway has once again grabbed the top position in the list for the seventh year in a row, followed by Switzerland, Denmark and New Zealand while Haiti, Afghanistan and the Central African Republic are at the bottom of the list in
that order. With regard to Pakistan, it is behind Bangladesh and India, but good news is that it has improved its performance in four out of eight categories. Since the Pakistan army has started operation against terrorists, the security of the country has considerably improved while governance and personal freedom have also shown signs of improvement this year. The country has the lowest level of satisfaction with freedom of choice in the region during the last Pive years, but there is improvement in the personal freedom. Though these kinds of reports are prepared with speciPic agenda, they are warning shots for the governments in developing countries to improve their performance.
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China allows free refineries to export fuel in 2016 for first time BEIJING: Beijing will allow independent refineries to export refined fuel next year for the first time, sources said, freeing up 20 percent of China’s refining capacity for sales abroad as the government aims to cut a local glut and boost investment. The move will allow independent refineries, also known as “teapots” such as Dongying Yatong Petrochemical and Panjin Beifang Asphalt Fuel, to enter the lucrative international market for the first time, raising concerns about a fresh flood of excess diesel and other fuels into Asia. Currently only state-owned refiners, Sinopec Corp and PetroChina and some smaller state oil firms are allowed to sell abroad. In a rare meeting last week, attended by several provincial trade officials and teapot refinery executives, the Ministry of Commerce told the plants they can now apply for first-quarter fuel export quotas, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
kogi Chamber urges govt to revive ailing state-owned industries uleiman also called on the new government to put in place modalities for the success of the recently enacted Public Private Partnership (PPP) Law in the state in order to attract foreign investors to the state. The Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture has urged the incoming administration in the state to put
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measures in place that will facilitate the revival of ailing state-owned industries in the state. Its Vice President (Indistry), Mr Habuh-Rajan Suleiman, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Sunday. He decried the slow pace of development in the state, adding that ‘time has come for the harnessing of the enormous natural and human resources in the state’’. Suleiman also called for the resuscitation of the state-owned Trade Fair Complex now converted to a park for articulated vehicles. He said the resuscitation of the complex would open new vista of economic opportunities for the growth of commercial activities that could create more employment opportunities for the people. Suleiman also called on the new government to put in place modalities for the success of the recently enacted Public Private Partnership (PPP) Law in the state in order to attract foreign investors to the state. He said the law would ensure the needed synergy between the state government and the private sector, to stimulate investors’ interest in the state’s abundant solid mineral potentials.—CB Report
Friday November 27, 2015
Chambers
govt should make business-oriented polices: rCCi president mian Humayun T
RAWALPINDI
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he potential of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status given to Pakistan more than one and half years ago by European Union (EU) has not been explored properly as one sector: textile is only being paying full attention instead of all sectors. This was stated by Rawalpindi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Mian Humayun Pervez, while giving an exclusive interview to Customs Today, adding that due to the lack of planning expected impact on economy of Pakistan after GSP Plus status has not been witnessed so far. Pervez said that federal and Punjab government should take all sectors on board while formulating the policies, instead of adopting the policies of foreign countries that are not made for us. The policies should be made according to working environment of country, besides developing obstacles to the progress of the industry and businesses that occurs due to the incompatible plans, he said.
Saying that business community was facing various tax issues, Pervez said that one of the major issues was imposition of withholding tax on banking transaction that need to be addressed on a priority basis. He said rates of import duty on yarn, energy and fuels were dipping in the international markets, but the situation in Pakistan was opposite to the reality.
“To improve the arid economy of Pothohar, we are required to build water reservoirs to store the rainwater for agricultural purposes, which are otherwise wasted,” he said, adding that good fertilizers should be added to soil to increase the production. He said that RCCI was planning to meet its energy shortage through alternate energy sources i.e. solar power project. He
Tampa weighs in on transportation plan
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NEW YORK
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he business community has weighed in on Hillsborough County’s transportation funding debate sort of. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce board of directors on Thursday released a statement regarding transportation that is vague in its wording and somewhat cryptic. But chamber president Bob Rohrlack said Friday the board’s intent was to support putting a sales tax transportation referendum on the 2016 ballot. The initiative has endured months of attacks, but was recently endorsed by political leaders and now, possibly, the business community. “We’re wanting (county commissioners) to know, as far as the business community goes, we want
you to do it,” Rohrlack said. “We’re telling them to keep moving forward and keep talking.” The language of the release is less emphatic. In the statement, the board said it would “support a referendum that includes measureable transportation outcomes, including mobility options and additional funding sources.” It also said that the board believes “transportation investment in the community requires additional funding sources to solve our transportation challenges.” The statement made no mention of Go Hillsborough or a half-cent sales tax increase to fund transportation projects. That was the option recommended by Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill and endorsed Nov. 5 by the Policy Leadership Group, a body of Hillsborough commissioners and mayors from the three cities. The Hillsborough County Commission is expected to
vote in the next couple months whether to put the sales tax hike on the 2016 ballot. Rohrlack said the commission’s pending vote is what spurred the board to release a statement. Though the PLG supported the plan, commissioners are split in their support. Rohrlack said the chamber wanted commissioners to know the business community supported moving forward. However, the chamber’s statement did not reference the sales tax at all. It was also not clear if the chamber believes the construction plan tied to the sales tax proposal has “measurable transportation outcomes.” The board did call for “mobility options,” meaning transportation alternatives. “We don’t think that it’s just simply roads,” Rohrlack said. “It’s improving the other options that are out there now for people to not use their cars and looking for what options we can support in the future.”
added that awareness sessions were being held to motivate the members of the RCCI to use alternate energy resources. To export skilled labour in foreign countries, the government should aware the youth, besides developing the skill centers in country, he said and added that people those are willing to go abroad, should contact to registered and licence holder companies.
Livonia Chamber opens new office everal Livonia businesses have either opened or moved into new buildings in recent years. The Livonia Chamber of Commerce has now decided to do the same. The chamber is scheduled to open Monday morning in a suite on the second floor in the Civic Center Office Plaza at 33000 Five Mile, right across the street from the current office. It’s a move, chamber president Dan West said, he wasn’t exactly planning on doing so soon. He said the lease with the city, who owns the building, was up at the end of October and he originally thought the chamber would just extend it for a few more years before searching again. —CB Report
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Australian border officials seize 10m illegal cigarettes Friday November 27, 2015
World
MELBOURNE: Tonnes of tobacco and more than 10 million illegal cigarettes have been seized in Melbourne by Australian border officials. The cigarettes were seized after Australian Border Force officers searched a container that had arrived in Melbourne, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton said on Wednesday. The cigarettes would have been subject to $5.6 million in taxes had they been imported legally, while the tobacco molasses would have incurred $4.7 million in duties. The container with the cigarettes was marked as containing masking tape. The seven tonnes of tobacco molasses were in one shipment labelled as herbal molasses, while another was addressed to a fake company.
Dubai Court sentences woman to BSF seizes 21kg heroin, arms in khemkaran 10 years for smuggling cocaine DHAKA
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woman passenger who smuggled 1kg of cocaine in her underwear via Dubai in transit will spend 10 years in jail. The 29-year-old Zambian woman, Z.S., had met a Nigerian friend on WhatsApp before he invited her to attend a carnival in Brazil. Then he accommodated her in a hotel for two weeks in Brazil before another person convinced her to transport some substances to Georgia via Dubai in transit and paid her Dh29,000 to do so. The Dubai Court of First Instance jailed Z.S. for 10 years and also Pined her Dh50,000 for smuggling and transporting the cocaine via Dubai in transit. Presiding judge Ezzat Mansour said the accused will be deported following the completion of her punishment.
French Customs officer killed by smugglers’ shot French customs officer has been shot dead in the southern city of Toulon by a suspected weapons smuggler. Two police officers were also injured in the incident shortly after 11am local time today. The Var-Matin newspaper reported that a man who had been “monitored”by customs opened fire as police tried to arrest him at his home in the Saint Jean du Var area. As he fled, he allegedly shot at officers multiple times with an M16 assault rifle, killing the customs officer and wounding police before he was arrested. French media reported that the operation was linked to weapons smuggling in the city, which lies east of Marseille in Provence and houses a major naval base. France 3 reported that the case has no connection to the Paris attacks, where 130 people were killed in shootings and suicide bombings on 13 November. —CB Report
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Law enforcement ofPicers stopped the defendant at Dubai International Airport’s transit section as she was walking strangely and they suspected she was hiding something between her legs. After being strip searched by a policewoman at the airport, 1kg of cocaine was found hidden in her underwear that had secretly sewn folds. Z.S. pleaded not guilty and contended that she was not aware
that she was carrying a banned substance when she defended herself in court. When asked by the presiding judge why she had agreed to transport the substances, she pleaded for leniency claiming that she has HIV and requested quick deportation. A policewoman said her partner asked her to search Z.S., who was spotted walking strangely. “She seemed petrified and walked oddly.
malaysian Customs monitoring vehicles import duty
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he Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s assessment of import duty of completely built up (CBU) vehicles and monitoring activities on the movement of vehicles from designated areas (Labuan and Langkawi) were less than satisfactory. According to the Auditor General Report 2014, a total of 213 K1 Forms (5.4% from audit sample of 3,931) have errors in assessment that resulted in under collection of taxes amounting to RM1.29 million and over
collection of RM499,296. “A total of 111 K1 Forms (2.8% from audit sample of 3,931) contains insufPicient vehicles information which involves duties/tax amounting to RM1.85 million and vehicles value of RM2.86 million,” it said. It also noted that the Malaysian Association of Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders did not apply for extension of time for keeping unsold imported vehicles for more than 36 months without payment of duty/tax.—CB Report
fPicers of the BSF and the Counter Intelligence wing of the Punjab Police with the seized heroin and arms in Khemkaran, Tarn Taran, on Saturday. On a tip-off, the counter intelligence wing of the Punjab Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) today foiled Pakistani men’s bid to smuggle around 21 packets of heroin worth Rs 105 crore into India. The drugs were seized from the Gajjal border outpost in the Khemkaran area. A China-made pistol, Pive live cartridges, a magazine and four empty shells of .12 bore riPle were also seized from the spot. Anil Paliwal, BSF IG, Punjab Frontier, said the BSF soldiers of 191 Battalion noticed some suspicious movement of Pakistani smugglers across the fence. When the soldiers
challenged them, the smugglers opened Pire. The soldiers then retaliated and forced the smugglers to retreat into the dense fog. Paliwal said the smugglers left the contraband behind. He said during the search operation, the BSF and the police wing found 21 packets of heroin and the weapons. The team also found four empty shells of .12-bore riPles that were made in Pakistan. Gurinder Pal Nagra of the counter intelligence wing claimed Pakistani smugglers Kaalu of Shehdra and Nasir Khan Pathan of Lahore were trying to smuggle the drugs into India. He said the consignment was to be delivered to notorious Indian smuggler Bholu of Hawelian village. Bholu was arrested by the state Special Operation Cell in 2010, but he escaped from the police custody a few years ago. The BSF handed over the drugs to the Punjab Police wing, which registered a case against Bholu and several unidentiPied persons. Nagra said further investigations were on.
Sri Lankan Customs arrests man in money-laundering case
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duty free shop employee attempting to smuggle foreign currency valued at Rs. 11.5 million was nabbed by Air Force ofPicers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake. The 58year-old duty free shop employee at the BIA, a resident of Nattandiya, was handed over to the Customs. Customs Media Spokesman Lesley Gamini said that the man had tried to take the money into the airport by concealing the foreign currencies inside his shoes and pockets. The Customs believe that the suspect may have taken
the money to hand it over to a foreign currency smuggler to take it out of the country. Customs ofPicers found US$ 30,850, Australian $11,000, Singapore $ 15,000 and Euro 28,500 in the suspect’s possession. Investigations are being by Deputy Director of Customs Mihira Piyarathne, D.M.S. Pundits, Superintendent of Customs T.M. Wijekulasooriya, K.A. Wickramanayake, Assistant Superintendent of Customs K.A.S.W. Kaluagggala, K.A.R.L. Ariyasena, M.A.W. Fernando, I.M.L. Dushantha, C.C.P. Gamage and R.M.A.P.L Ranasinghe.—CB Report
Dubai Customs introduces modern inspection system
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hree minutes is the maximum time it will take to inspect passenger’s luggage at Dubai airport and identify a suspected item as Dubai Customs introduces the most advanced customs inspection system in the world.
Operational in Terminal 3 since March, the system, developed entirely by a Dubai Customs employee, is the latest in a series of innovations put together by them to increase efPiciency, cut down on manual inspection time and swiftly bust illegal items. Consisting of a smart inspection table, the system is able to secure the privacy of passengers during inspections by eliminating
the need for inspectors to manually look into the luggage’s contents to Pind the item. It also helps passengers complete all customs-related procedures on the spot. “It used to take inspectors 15 to 30 minutes to open, empty and Pind the suspected item in a passenger’s bag, but with this innovation, inspectors can scan the bag with a small barcode device to know what the suspected item
is,” said Falah Khalil, manager of passenger operations at Terminal 2, where this system was operational earlier. The system was globally recognised and was granted a patent from the Ministry of Economy for its unique design and for carrying out multiple functions. Ahmad Ali Shahdad, Inspection Manager at Terminal 2, was behind this innovation, he said.
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China still Iran’s top oil client: customs data BEIJING: China’s October Iranian crude oil imports edged down slightly from a year earlier to their lowest level in 14 months, official customs data showed on Monday, in part due to the outage at a petrochemical producer that suffered a fire in the spring. China, still Iran’s top oil client, imported 1.44 million tonnes of Iranian oil last month, or 338,300 barrels per day (bpd), down 0.1 percent from a year ago and 18.8 percent lower from September, according to the custom data. That was the lowest oil volumes shipped in from Iran since August 2014, and less than the latest estimate of 407,400 bpd from Thomson Reuters Oil Research & Forecasts for China’s Iranian crude imports in October.
matson to raise cargo rates by $225 per westbound container atson, Inc. (MATX), announced that Matson Navigation Company, Inc. (Matson) will raise its cargo rates for Hawaii service by $225 per westbound container and $110 per eastbound container, effective January 3, 2016. The adjustment, which will represent an increase of less than 5 percent for the majority of Matson’s customers, is designed to help offset increasing costs of operation and support continuing investment in improvements to Matson’s Hawaii service. Matson has invested nearly $1 billion in new containerships, fleet enhancements, new container equipment, information technology improvements and upgrades to its terminal facilities in recent years. Last month, the company commenced construction on two new 3,600 TEU ‘Aloha Class’ containerships that are designed specifically for Hawaii service and scheduled to launch in 2018. “Matson remains committed to investing in our service to ensure that Hawaii continues to have a modern.—CB Report
Ports & Shipping
Friday November 27, 2015
Senate to investigate lease of Darwin’s port to Chinese firm
tate port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) II plans to develop two new ports next year and upgrade Cirebon Port in West Java in a bid to expand its logistics services. Pelindo II corporate secretary Banu Astrini said the two new ports would be located in Sorong, West Papua, and in Kijing, West Kalimantan. “If all goes according to plan, the groundbreaking for the Sorong and Kijing ports will happen in 2016,” Banu explained in a text message. Banu said the state-owned company was currently developing a final plan for the Sorong and Kijing ports. Investment is expected to amount to Rp 3 trillion (US$219.1 million) for the Sorong port and Rp 4.2 trillion for the Kijing port.—CB Report
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hipping firms MacAndrews and OPDR have launched a new joint service that links key northern European ports with Portugal. The new route, which is named POSS (Portugal and south Spain), serves Tilbury, Dunkirk, Rotterdam, Leixoes, Setubal, Lisbon, Algeciras and Cartagena. Three weekly departures aim to create fast connections to and from Portuguese ports, described as ideal supply chain transit for reefers and dry cargo requiring deliveries in the UK on Monday. It also offers improved transit times and links with Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic States. It is the first joint service between MacAndrews and OPDR, which are each 100 per cent owned by French shipping group CMA CGM, and will see three container ships of 700 TEUs operate across short distances. “The combined MacAndrews and OPDR footprint in Iberia consolidates our position as the largest Iberia centric Inter European container carrier. The new POSS service marks the beginning of a concrete co-operation between us, growing the business for the group through increased service frequency to compete with our main competitors overland trucks,” said MacAndrews chief executive, Geoffrey Smith. —CB Report
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pelindo plans to develop two new ports next year
opDr launches joint service that links key northern eu ports to portugal
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he Senate will investigate the lease of Darwin’s port to a Chinese company as part of a broad ranging inquiry into the sale of strategic national assets to foreigners. ALSO examined will be the lease of the NSW electricity network TransGrid and the decision to block the sale of the Kidman pastoral properties. The Senate economics references committee will consider whether there should be any legislative or
regulatory changes to ensure Australia’s national interest is adequately considered in asset sales. It will report back by February 4. The inquiry motion was moved by shadow defence minister Stephen Conroy and bumped another inquiry proposed by Independent senator Nick Xenophon, the Greens and other crossbenchers. That would have involved a very detailed examination of the Darwin port deal, even considering the effect on local businesses and the environmental impact on indigenous and historical sites from any port expansion. Under the controversial deal, the NT government agreed to lease the port to Chinese-owned
Pirm Landbridge for $506 million for 99 years. Deals like this by states or territories are exempt from consideration by the Foreign Investment Review Board. The government is considering whether this exemption should be removed. This was regarded as a very deal good for the NT. But it speedily attracted criticism on grounds that implications of selling a strategic asset to China hadn’t been adequately assessed. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the NT government undertook the lease negotiations in close consultation with the Commonwealth, including with the Department of Defence, security services and a number of other agencies.
Saudi govt plans to invest some $30b in upgrading port
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audi Arabia are well on the way to becoming world scale, world class facilities, delegates will hear at this year’s TOC Middle East conference to be held on 8-9 December 2015 at the Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Dubai, UAE. Saudi Arabia is an economic giant of the Middle East Gulf and Pittingly has some of the largest ports in the
region. However, these ports are undergoing a period of transformation. The Kingdom’s position over decades as the world’s largest supplier of crude oil meant that most of its ports were designed to handle bulk liquids and project cargoes. Although on a steadily upward path, Saudi Arabia’s container throughput still amounted to just 6.7 million TEU in 2013, according to the World Bank. But a growing middle class and youthful demographic proPile has provided the impetus for the Kingdom to generate heavy invest-
ment in state-of-the-art container facilities. Conscious of the need to provide top class commercial facilities, Saudi Ports Authority embarked on a privatization programme, working closely with private sector investors and operators to ready the country’s port sector for today’s shipping landscape. The Saudi government has also announced plans to invest some $30bn in upgrading port and other related logistics facilities to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of the Kingdom’s ports as more and more ultra large container vessels
(ULCVs) cascade onto maritime trades and container shipping lines group together in more powerful alliances. Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) is on the way to becoming a major maritime hub on the Red Sea. The aim is to capture a larger port share of the major Asia-Europe container trades as well as establish best-in-class import-export facilities for Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing container volumes as the economy diversiPies from its historical base of primary commodities towards more manufactured goods.
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Customs Court extends remand of suspected gold smuggler LAHORE: The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has extended the judicial remand of a suspect in gold smuggling case for 14 days. Earlier, the accused was already on judicial remand after expiry of three-day physical remand. As per details, Airport Security Force (ASF) recovered two and half kilogram gold from a passenger’s luggage at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore during scanning. Passenger was identified as Rai Umar, who was trying to smuggle gold to Sharjah through a private airline.
Friday, November 27, 2015
CUSTOMS BULLETIN
Dg Customs Valuation determines values of synthetic rubber NBr, SBr KARACHI AFTAB CHANNA
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irectorate General of Customs Valuation has determined the customs value of synthetic rubber NBR and SBR vide Valuation Ruling No.579/2013 dated 13-09-2013. According to details, the trade community has been demanding revision in prices of this commodity owing to downward trend in its prices in international market. According to the valuation ruling, the synthetic rubber SBR PCT Heading 4002.1900, proposed PCT for WeBOC 4002.1900.1000 of all origins would be accessed to customs values clearance and forwarding at $ 1.60/kg and synthetic rubber NBR, PCT Heading 4002.5900, proposed PCT for WeBOC 4002.5900.1000 of all origins would be accessed to customs values clearance and forwarding at $ 1.90/kg. In cases where declared/transaction values are higher than the Customs values determined in this ruling, the assessing ofPicers shall apply those values in terms of Sub-Section (1) of Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969. In case of consignments imported by air, the as-
sessing ofPicer shall take into account the differential between air freight and sea freight while applying the
customs values determined in this ruling. The values determined vide this ruling shall be applicable cus-
toms value for assessment of subject imported goods until and unless it is rescinded or revised by the compe-
tent authority in terms of Sub-Sections (1) or (3) of Section 25-A or section 25-D of the Customs Act, 1969.
Customs Adjudication declares cloth’s confiscation lawful FAISALABAD
NAeem SHeikH
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ustoms Adjudication Faisalabad Deputy Collector Asma Hameed has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) in favour of Faisalabad Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) declaring the conPiscation of cloth lawful. The ASO had seized 4,869 yards of cloth from the warehouse of M/s Rana Ishtiaq Goods Forward-
ing Agency near Lal Mill Chowk Faisalabad under Section 168 of Customs Act, 1969 for violation of Section 2(s) Section 16, 18 of the Customs Act, 1969. After conPiscating the cloth, the accused person named Javaid Khan, Muhammad Amir, Suleman Zahoor and Ali Raza were issued notices to appear before the adjudication. Inspector Masood Saeed Chohan represented the ASO and produced evidence before the court, while the respondent failed to show any evidence regarding the legal import of the item. Deputy Collector Asma Hameed
reviewed all the stated facts of the case and ordered to conPiscated the cloth under Section 156(1)89 of the Customs Act, 1969. Meanwhile, The Faisalabad Customs Intelligence has seized Hino truck worth worth Rs 3 million. Directorate intelligence and investigation Faisalabad Saud Imran Ahmed has confiscated the non-duty paid Hino truck bearing registration no. TKB- 120 model 2002 as per registration book worth Rs 3 million. The Customs official asked the accused to produce legal documentary evidence regrading the vehicle but he failed
to produce the same. Accused Shebaz is a resident of Masoodabad Tehsil and District Faisalabad (Owner of vehicle). The intelligence official teams was comprising Muhammad Tahir Iqbal (S.I.O) Muhammad Mansoor and Muhammad Farzand Ali (I.O) Mukhtar Ahmed and Muhammad Iqbal (Sepoys). The Customs Intelligence and Investigation has impounded a nonduty paid Hino Ranger Truck worth Rs 4.5 million involving duty/taxes of millions of rupees. The team of Customs Intelligence following credible information
Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,off I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi
received through Director Saud Imran established a picket near Jaranwala Bypass, Faisalabad and asked the diver Ghulam Shabir and owner of the vehicle, Wali Jan to produce the documents showing the legal import of the vehicle but they could not. Therefore, Customs Intelligence team comprising Senior Intelligence Officer Muhammad Tahir Iqbal, Intelligence Officer Muhammad Iqbal, Sepoys Ghulam Ghous, Mukhtar Ahmad and others participated in raid, impounded the vehicle under section 156 (I) 89 of the Customs Act, 1969.