To,
Kamran Michael
Ports and Shipping Minister
Dear Sir,
I would like to bring into your knowledge that I have faced a problem regarding confiscation/detention of goods at PICT (Pakistan International Container Terminal).
I filed GD #KAPE-HC-70826-11-02-2014 of used LCD TV monitors under WeBOC system. The Customs staff found that these are 40 LCD TV monitors of 20 inches which are banned as per appendix C of Import Policy of Customs. The customs officials issued ONO against my consignment for confiscation/detention. After receiving the ONO we went to PICT and informed them to arrange the space for detention of 40 LCDs. The PICT staff gave us receipt #595080 dated 21-02-2014 amounting Rs46,400/- for the payment under the head of unknown charges. Then we approached their manager Captain Zaheer and Deputy Manager Wajid and asked them to provide a tariff so that we could know about the charges.
They asked us to pay this amount otherwise they will not detain our cargo. In the meantime our consignment was lying at the port and we were facing a huge loss against demurrage and detention.
Wharfage charges of 40 ft container are around Rs23,000 to Rs25,000 and 20 ft container around Rs18,000-20,000 but charging of Rs46,400 by the terminal under unknown charges head is an open blackmailing.
I request you to urgently take notice of the matter.
Yours Sincerely,
Bilal Ahmed,
Fast Shipping & Logistics
Karachi