KARACHI, Feb 27: The government has simplified the procedure for smooth operation of the Forward Mounting Base (FMB), International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan and the similar relief operations conducted by the United Nations.

The CBR has issued a Customs General Order (CGO) No. 5 of 2002 on February 21, prescribing various procedures in this regard, said Shahzada Tahir Zaman, Additional Collector of Customs, in a seminar on Latest Development — Rebuilding of Afghanistan, organized by Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Council of the FPCCI on Wednesday. He later distributed the CGO’s copies to the FPCCI members.

According to CGO, the Officer Commanding of the said base or the UN bodies will designate an officer/authorized agent to interact with the Pakistan Customs authorities and to sign documents/declarations in this behalf.

Office of the Additional Collector of Customs (Preventive), Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, will serve as Customs focal point to maintain liaison with the ISAF/UN bodies through respective agent if any.

The Civil Aviation Authority will, too, designate an officer to coordinate with Customs regarding the movement and expeditious port clearance of the departing ISAF aircraft and those chartered air craft carrying UN relief goods.

Soon after landing/arrival of an ISAF/UN vessel/aircraft the FMB/UN authorized representatives shall file with the Customs a duly signed cargo manifest in duplicate separately detailing the following information:

Details of goods to be entered into Pakistan for local consumption at the FMB Karachi, details of goods to be transshipped to another port, airport or land customs station within Pakistan for onward transportation to Afghanistan and details of good to be transshipped to Afghanistan directly from the port/airport of initial landing/arrival.

The Customs authorities will retain the original cargo manifest and hand over the duplicate to the FMB/UN bodies representatives with advice/permission regarding further requisite action. In case of goods to be moved into Pakistan for home consumption the FMB/UN would file a separate customs bill of entry. In case of goods involving transits movement within Pakistan prior entry to Afghanistan, the Customs administration of the initial place of landing/ arrival will provide customs escort and handle requisite documentation formalities.

The FMB/UN bodies will advise the supplier of locally procured goods to enter the goods to port/airport bonded area along with customs declaration i.e. bill of export.