BECAUSE governments enforce importing standards that should be met when sending goods abroad, pre-shipping inspections are the norm for the evaluation of goods, and custom tariff codes assigned during inspections.

I wish to raise the manner in which this practice is being flouted for certain goods. For instance, why do mango consignments at the pre-shipment phase undergo inspections more thoroughly even after the consignment has been approved when similar consignments of the same type of perishable fruit and vegetables, such as potatoes and oranges, go without pre-shipment inspections after the relevant goods are treated as per requirements.

We know that the PSI (pre-shipment inspection) are being implemented and conducted since 2013 to ensure measures and quality standards for fruits such as mangoes are met as per international requirements.

We request that the necessity of implementing these suggestions across the board for a uniform perishable export policy are realised and endorsed by Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan.

Dr Rubeena Huma

Karachi

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2017