Pak-Afghan Customs Working Group Committee meeting in November to settle ATT issues. KARACHI: The Customs Working Group Committee Meeting between Afghanistan and Pakistan is scheduled to be held in mid November 2013 so that issues pertaining to bonded carriers, open pool facility for commercial consignments, insurance guarantees, cross-border certificates, tracking devices, formation of border liaison committees must be dealt with. It was also agreed by customs of both the sides that all related amendments, SROs and minutes will be shared with for proper coordination and follow-up and prompt communication with stakeholders. The fourth joint session of Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Co-ordination Authority (APTTCA) was held in Kabul from October 8-9, 2013 in a bid to explore ways to solve transit grievances. Pakistan side was led by Secretary Commerce Qasim M. Niaz while the Afghan side was represented by Deputy Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industries Mozammil Shinwari. In order to resolve issues of 5.0 percent physical examination and partial shipments, Pakistan Customs has proposed to implement the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) connectivity and its utilization for release of financial guarantee. The pilot project will be executed at Torkham, initially, from November 1, 2013. Pakistan Customs also intend to launch automated clearance system (WeBOC) for Afghan Transit Trade under APTTA 2010 according to which an external user interface will be provided to Afghan importers based on Jawaznama and Tax Identification No (TIN). This initiative will facilitate in developing a database of Afghan importers for Risk Management Criteria for 5 percent examination selectivity as agreed under APTTA. Pakistani side requested that the provision of auction may be extended to about 200 loose consignments lying since 1971-2010 at Karachi Port and Peshawar Railway. Pakistan Customs has agreed to provide complete details so that Afghan importers may be informed for claims and refunds prior to auction of consignments (if not cleared within 90 days). Pakistan side informed that in pursuance to a previous meeting in September 6-7, 2011, both sides agreed to waive the condition of financial security for export of Afghan Cargo transiting through territory of Pakistan and export of Pakistan (to CIS countries) through territory of Afghanistan. Pakistan has implemented the said waiver w.e.f. 14th September, 2011, while Afghan side is still charging 110 percent of the value amount from Pakistani exporters. Additionally requirement of transit permit and payment of $100 per consignment from Pakistan by Ministry of Afghanistan is affecting the transit business of Pakistan. Afghan side replied that Afghan Customs have launched a new transit system at Torkham and now they are securing the leviable duty/taxes amount through Freight Forwarders which is credited automatically to their account after arrival/cross-border of cargo at Sher Khan Bandar/Harithan. Afghan Customs also informed that the said system will be implemented at Chaman/Weish after Eid-ul-Azha holidays. They further elaborated that transit permit requirement would also be taken care off through the introduction of new transit system at Torkham. It was informed that production of the copy of agreement between Pakistani exporters/importers and third countries importers/exporters have also been abolished. Afghan traders indicated that there are no shipping containers available in Afghanistan that can go directly from Afghanistan to overseas destination points. This requires that transit goods be transferred to Pakistan by trucks in loose form and then stuffed into appropriate containers within Pakistan. Pakistani side assured that that if goods come in containers then they will be further transported in containers for further export.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 04:39:01 +0000