KARACHI: Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement (South) Chief Collector Nasir Masroor Ahmed has directed all field formation Collectorates i.e. MCC-Appraisement-West, MCC-Appraisement-East) and MCC-Port Muhammad Bin Qasim to ensure recording particulars of persons appearing to transact business relating to Customs.
According to the provisions of section 208 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with licensing rules, the Chief Collector-Appraisement-South directed that any person issued license under Section 207 of the Customs Act, 1969 appearing before an officer of Customs may be required by the officer to produce authority from the principal to transact business on his behalf.
Similarly, in case the principal chooses to transact business without using a licensed agent he may authorize an employee or representative to transact business and the appropriate officer may refuse to recognize such an employee or representative unless power of attorney on stamp paper duly signed by the principal is produced by him.
In order to ensure that a consignment is cleared by the authorized person, it has been decided that entry into the premises of the respective Collectorate shall be allowed only to the clearing agents or their authorized representatives having Customs permit or smart cards issued by the Association. Any unauthorized person not having permit/smart card shall not be entertained by the concerned Customs staff/officer.
In case of self clearance, the importer shall authorize any person to pursue his case in the Collectorate by issuing and uploading in WeBOC system power of attorney on stamp paper along with Goods Declaration (GD) containing name of the representative and CNIC at the time of filing the GD. The authorized representative shall carry original copy of power of attorney along with original CNIC with him during visit to the Collectorate. Such authorization shall be consignment/GD specific.
The visitors to the official/officer for matters other than pursuing the GDs shall approach the Collectorate’s reception desk. The official at the reception desk shall allow the visitor to meet the relevant officer after seeking his/her approval. The reception official shall maintain a serially numbered register wherein visitor’s name, CNIC and Cell number shall be recorded, and the same shall be submitted to DC (Headquarters) on daily basis.
All officers shall ensure that unauthorized persons do not appear to represent any clearing agent, importer, exporters, business house or firm to transact business. The reviewing authorities are directed to enter the identity i.e. name of the representative and his work permit number or CNIC, as the same may be, in the system while finalizing any review or any other matter concerning Customs. Relevance of the visitor with the matter will be ensured by the concerned Customs official.
In case of self clearance, only such authorized person shall be allowed to transact business, who has been given power of attorney by the importer and the same has been uploaded in the WeBOC system, on cases to case basis. Any officer dealing with a person other than authorized person shall be held responsible for consequences if any violation of law is detected at subsequent stage.
Under various statutory provisions, clearance of import is allowed subject to furnishing of different security instruments, which are subsequently discharged. These security instruments include Pay Order (PO), Bank Guaranteer (BG), Post Dated Cheques (PDC), Indemnity Bond (IB), Corporate Guarantee (CG) etc as defined and prescribed under notifications, law etc. The following procedure shall be followed by the Collectorates for release of security.
The importer/authorized person will present instrument with requisite documents at the Document Receiving Desk to the designate d official for assigning registration number. Name, cell number along with CNIC number of the person furnishing security will be recorded. All inwards/outwards security instruments shall be routed through the same designated official.
Instrument will be handed over to the concerned Appraising Officer (AO)/Examining Officer (EO) or with any designation for scrutiny.
If found in order, the security instrument will be accepted by the AO/EO Securities, after making all entries online and in the relevant register, importer will get acceptance information online.
In case of any discrepancy, security instrument will be returned to the importer or his authorized representative with objections in black and white for re-submission after the removal of discrepancies.
Security instruments detached during the day will be handed over to the designated AO/EO (being custodian) against proper acknowledgement at the close of office hours daily, for keeping that in safe custody.
AO/EO(Securities) will compile and maintain list of online messages received during the day in her/his inbox for security release and will hand those over to the designated AO/EO (being custodian) for withdrawal of security instruments from the safe custody.
Concerned AO/EO (Securities) will release security instrument online after cancelation making entries in the relevant register in which it was first entered, will present this security along with register to PA (BG) for counter check of the particulars and to ensure that it is releasable and all related formalities have been completed.
Security instrument will be handed over to the trader/authorized person against proper acknowledgement and recording of his/her particulars like name, CHAL number if any and Cell number etc, in the relevant register.
The concerned AO/EO (Securities) will maintain update list of online messages received in his/her inbox for security encashment and will hand over to the designated AO/EO (Securities) , being the custodian for withdrawal of security instrument from safe custody.
Concerned AO/EO (Securities) will en-cash security instrument online and after making entries in the relevant register in which it was first entered, will present security instrument along with register to PA (BG) for counter check of the particulars and to ensure that it has become mature for encashment.
Security instrument will be handed over to the designated AO/EO (Securities) for presenting the same in the Bank for Encashment purpose.
Cash Number and date of bank challan will be recorded in the relevant register by the designated AO/EO (Securities) and copy of challan will be kept in a separate folder maintained for this purpose on monthly basis.
The Chief Collector Customs further asked the authorities concerned to devise a mechanism to ensure that the said instructions are complied in letter and spirit, adding that surprise visits of the Collectors are desired I this regard.