ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: The commerce ministry has announced that the relaxation of pre-shipment inspection condition for imported second-hand machinery, plant and equipment will not be allowed in future.

The decision was announced through an official order issued by the ministry here on Tuesday. It also decided that such machinery and equipment would invariably be ordered to be re-exported or confiscated.

It was observed that importers did not fulfil the condition of pre-shipment inspection and approached the commerce ministry for waiver of the pre-shipment inspection condition as a special case for their import, which was against the norm of the prescribed policy.

As per para-6 of the Import Policy Order 2004, construction, mining, oil and gas and petroleum sectors were allowed to import second-hand plant, machinery and equipment, actually required for their projects in Pakistan subject to fitness certificate by any of the pre-shipment inspection companies listed below to the effect that the machinery and equipment is in good working condition and the remaining life is not less than 10 years: Messer Lloyds of London, Messer Quality Tech, LLC, Messer ABS, Messer Bureau Veritas and Messer SGS.