KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a rapid clearance system at the customs to ensure that no congestion takes place at country’s ports.

The system, to be known as express clearance facility, started functioning at the model customs collectorate of appraisement on Thursday where only loose cargo would be handled. Under the laid down criteria, around 200 registered companies and industrial units, having minimum annual import worth Rs30 million, have been selected for this facility.

All those companies registered at the Large Taxpayers Units of the country and previous ACP units of the collectorate of appraisement could benefit from the system.

According to an order of the FBR, federal and provincial government cargo and public sector organisations, including state owned corporations and defence imports, have been also selected for availing this system.

However, the FBR has laid down conditions for availing express clearance facility for approved users of the system.

Only those importers would be allowed to avail the facility who have valid LCs or have a registered bank contract.

The board has warned that the facility could be withdrawn immediately and at any stage, if the user is found to have made mis-declaration or a fiscal fraud has been detected against import(s).

Similarly, the facility may be withdrawn if a company or any of the directors is found involved in such illegal practices.

The FBR would keep on reviewing the status of importers enjoying this facility and in case at any stage or any time, they cease to fulfill the conditions, his name or company name would be expunged from the list of importers of express clearance.

A spokesman of the Customs told Dawn that around 20 per cent of imported cargo is handled by the collectorate of appraisement.

Responding to a question, he said no commercial importers could avail this facility and only those which are registered or are taxpayer in LTUs of the country are eligible for this rapid clearance of imported goods.

He further stated that around 80 per cent of imported cargo which is containerised is handled and cleared by the Pakistan Automation Computerised Customs System.

Despite the fact that the Express Clearance Facility was ready about five months back, some changes in the software were introduced by the FBR to make it foolproof, the official added.