Karachi, Pakistan:The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched a Centralized Customs Examination system to improve efficiency, transparency, and trade facilitation. A Centralized Examination Unit (CEU) will be set up in Karachi to streamline the customs inspection process.
Establishment of the CEU
The CEU will be established at a designated location in Karachi, as notified by the Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (South). Key officers, including Deputy and Assistant Collectors, will be assigned to address system-related and logistical challenges, while Appraisers will conduct examinations based on operational requirements.
Examination Procedure
- Scope of CEU Operations: All consignments arriving at Karachi Port terminals will be examined through the CEU. Goods Declarations (GDs) filed at Collectorates of Customs, Appraisement—East, West, and SAPT, Karachi will be processed through the unit. In the next phase, the system will extend to Port Qasim and other customs stations nationwide.
- Randomized Allocation: The Customs Computerized System (CCS) will allocate Appraisers to specific port terminals or off-dock terminals (ODTs) on a rotating basis. The same system will randomly assign containers and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) consignments for inspection.
- Timely Completion of Examinations: Examinations are expected to be completed on the same day, with any pending inspections finalized the next day. If required documents are not uploaded on time, the CCS will reassign the examination to another officer the following day.
Compliance with Customs Regulations
Examinations will be conducted in accordance with the Customs Act, 1969, and relevant valuation rulings, general orders, public notices, and instructions from the Board and Collectorates. The CEU will ensure strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Use of Technology for Transparency
To enhance transparency and monitoring:
- Appraisers will be equipped with tablets and body cameras, integrated with the CCS to upload examination reports and images.
- A Central Control Room will oversee real-time footage, which will be stored for at least three months for future reference.
Processing of Special Cases
- Approval for Certain GDs: Goods Declarations requiring finalization at the level of Assistant or Deputy Collectors will be forwarded for further processing.
- Re-Examination Requests: Importers or customs agents requesting re-examinations must obtain approval from the Additional Collector of the concerned Collectorate before the CEU processes their request.
Post-Examination Actions
- All post-examination procedures will follow Customs General Order No. 06 of 2025.
- Coordination, monitoring, and auction-related matters will remain the responsibility of the respective Collectorates of Customs—Appraisement.
- The Collector Headquarters-Appraisement (South), Karachi, will have full access to GDs processed through the CEU for vigilance and anti-evasion measures.
The introduction of the Centralized Examination Unit (CEU) marks a major step towards modernizing Pakistan’s customs clearance system. By integrating digital tools, improving accountability, and ensuring faster goods clearance, the FBR aims to enhance trade facilitation, compliance, and efficiency in customs operations.
