ISLAMABAD, July 13: The government has notified specifications for availing exemption from customs duty on import of wheat by the private sector. The notification SRO709 of 2005 issued here on Wednesday by the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock prescribed specifications, conditions and procedural requirements for the guidance of importers.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet in its meeting held on July 1 last allowed the private sector to import wheat duty free. The customs duty exemption was notified through customs notification SRO567 of 2005. While the withholding tax was abolished by making amendments in the income tax ordinance through Finance Act 2005.

Further the notification incorporates six special annexures relating to commodity and specifications, technical conditions, procedural requirements, pre-shipment inspection and certification, list of pre-shipment inspection agencies and an undertaken from the importer of wheat.

According to the notification, all the importers shall inform the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), with a copy to the Directorate of Food, Pakistan, Karachi and DG Plant Protection Department, Karachi at least three weeks in advance about the following—- origin from where the wheat is to be imported, quantity to be imported, tentative dates of dispatch from the load port and arrival in Pakistan, acceptance of deputation of team of designated officers of Minfal at port of loading for the purposes of inspection and overseeing the requirements as at Annex-I to IV, pre-shipment inspection agency shall be appointed out of the panel as per Annex-V and fee shall be borne by the importer.

Moreover, the importer will also ensure that specifications as at Annex-I are fully met so as to enable importers get duty exemption as per SRO 567 of 2005. Before the import permit is issued, the importer/buyer shall give undertaking/declaration to the effect that all the conditions laid down in this SRO and annextures are met.