The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has expressed deep concern over the growing backlog of consignments at the ports, calling for urgent measures to hasten the clearance process and minimize the demurrage and detention costs impacting the business community.
Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, the President KCCI, in a statement recommended the establishment of separate processing queues for Manufacturers-cum-Exporters, General Industries, and Commercial Importers.
By operating these queues concurrently, he believes the clearance process can be streamlined, ensuring timely processing and reducing disruptions in business operations.
He stressed that industrial goods, which are currently being processed alongside regular commercial imports, should be prioritized to prevent delays.
Bilwani further stressed that the need for a “war footing” strategy to clear the backlog by keeping all port-related activities, including banks and customs, fully operational on Saturdays and Sundays.
This, he argued, would help mitigate potential disruptions to industrial operations, exports, and trade activities in Pakistan.
To improve efficiency, Bilwani proposed creating an effective action plan to ensure the daily clearance of all consignments.
This system, involving separate queues for different categories of importers, would prevent the accumulation of pending entries and reduce pressure on the system.
Additionally, he suggested that customs appraisers should record their attendance biometrically and meet daily targets to ensure timely processing and greater accountability.
Bilwani noted that delays in industrial input clearance were escalating costs, disrupting production, and reducing the competitiveness of exports.
He called for systemic changes, including a level playing field for manufacturers-cum-exporters, general industries, and commercial importers, as well as resolving resource shortages and enhancing transparency in customs operations.
While appreciating the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) introduction of the Faceless Customs Clearance Assessment under the FBR Transformation Plan, Bilwani expressed optimism that this initiative would further streamline customs clearance, saving time and resources while reducing delays.
