KARACHI, Dec 12: Auto clearance of imported goods through computers at the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), operating under Customs Administrative Reforms (CARe), is causing billions of rupees revenue loss to the national exchequer owing to rampant corruption and large-scale mis-declarations.

Despite the fact that the FBR constantly keeps on changing methods and even takes administrative measures by changing the category of goods and port of shipment, there are those who break such systems meant for checking corruption.

Sources close to the Customs told Dawn that mis-declaration was still going on a large-scale and one can get away with anything he wants by entering an arrangement with the Customs official or staff member concerned.

“It is very easy to tamper the computer and make it work according to your own wish,” sources observed.

It is on record that the FBR chairman, Abdullah Yousuf, publicly acknowledged that there were those who wanted to de-rail CARe and that would not be allowed because times have changed; and it was government’s duty to facilitate trade and industry and make them cost-effective in a free market era.

The FBR chief also warned that stern action would be taken against those damaging the CARe system which is part of the National Trade Corridor (NTC) to ensure a trouble-free movement of goods from port areas to industry and ultimately end-consumers.Sources said since there was no physical examination under the CARe, one gets all the opportunity to mis-declare imported consignments with the connivance of customs officials.

Undoubtedly CARe has helped clear goods in a shortest possible time, but it equally gave fillip to corruption and mis-declaration which presently is rampant.

What is needed is that such a system be developed under which there are little chances of tampering, and this can be done by introducing a parallel system of computers which should operate, with those installed in CARe.

By doing so, it would become possible for the FBR to counter-check each and every entry for verification.

This would also bring on record any rerouting or tampering by the Customs staff.

The sources said all those items which are prone to smuggling are being cleared through mis-declaration from CARe and sent to the local market.

The most glaring example of mis-declaration given by these sources is clearance of trucks which are banned but were easily moved out of port area after getting nod from the customs staff.

“If a truck is being cleared through mis-declaration under CARe, there it little left to argue in favour of this system,” observed a clearing agent who requested anonymity.

But the question is why the FBR high-ups, who are reported to be still conducting inquiry, do not take stern action against such corrupt officials.

Import of imitation gems and jewellery of Indian origin is banned, but the market is flooded with such a jewellery as huge quantities are being cleared by the customs on misdeclaration.

Similarly, huge quantities of infected betel-nut, without getting certification from government-approved labs, is being cleared on getting fixed amount for each container, these sources said.

Under the CARe, auto parts of Japanese-origin having higher invoice value are being cleared as Chinese-made parts, which are cheaper and have less value.

Toys of different categories, including battery and mechanised, stuff toys having higher invoice value are being cleared as ordinary toys with less value.

A large number of items are being misdeclared which also include crockery imported from France which is being cleared as Chinese-made, iron steel sheets which are secondary item are being cleared as primary.

Cloth of European origin is being cleared as Chinese made. For clearing banned Indian fabric samples are replaced by Chinese origin cloth.

Despite the fact that CARe is the need of the hour, it is equally important that falling revenue collection on account of customs duty is more important as a poor country, like Pakistan, cannot afford to lose billions of rupees in corruption when there are millions of people who sleep with a single meal.