January 10, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 19, 1427

KARACHI, Jan 9: The country has imported over 11,200 vehicles of different categories and engine power having a total value of around Rs4.940 billion during first six months (July-December 2006) of the current fiscal. This generated revenue of around Rs2.837 billion in term of customs duty.

All these vehicles were imported under different government schemes, including transfer of residence (TR), personal baggage and gift, as well as by commercial imports.

In total, 11,263 vehicles, including jeeps (4x4), vans, pick-ups, buses, trucks, tractors and motorcycles/scooters, were imported during the period under review. However, the highest number of motor vehicles was imported under personal baggage scheme followed by transfer of residence and commercial imports.

The largest number of motor vehicles having engine powers up to 1000cc was imported during first six months of current fiscal. But it is note worthy that motor vehicles with high engine power and up to 3000cc stood second in number at 924 units. In a poor country, like Pakistan, import of vehicles with very high engine power above 3000cc was also fairly high at 97 units.

According to official figures, 3,182 vehicles of various engine powers were imported under transfer of residence scheme having a value of 1.008 billion. This fetched Rs584 million in customs duty. Import of vehicles under personal baggage scheme was at 5,670 units having total import value of Rs2.037 billion.The customs figures further disclosed that under gift scheme, 32 vehicles were imported and commercial imports stood at 2,379 units, having an import value of Rs22 million and Rs1.874 billion, respectively. The national exchequer collected Rs15 million in customs duty from imports under gift scheme and Rs990 million from commercial imports.

However, inside sources told Dawn that a lot many discrepancies were going on ever since the clearance of goods had been made under one customs. In the past, there were specialisation and each appraisement officer was asked to clear goods of his expertise and skills.

Similar problems are being faced in the case of clearance of motor vehicles and customs sources said this resulted in clearance of vehicles on student and visit visas, thereby, causing a huge revenue loss to the kitty. Furthermore, the sources said in many cases collection of 30 per cent penalty on account of violation of age of vehicles which had been officially fixed at five years was also not made.

Consequently, when any officer could be asked to clear goods of any category and classification, it was bound to result in mistakes and slippages, deliberate or otherwise, and the end result is revenue loss, they added. Presently, principal appraiser clears as well as carry the assessment of imported consignments and he may have the required expertise or not with regard to goods.