KARACHI, May 29: Customs has implemented “weight and packing standardization” to prevent exports of ineligible items in export packing of mangoes from Pakistan.

Officials said here on Wednesday that the new rules will be implemented from June 1, 2002.

Counterfeit cigarettes, compact discs (CDs) and mobile phones were being exported for the last two years in the packing of mangoes to European destinations.

The matter was brought to the knowledge of Export Promotion Bureau and Pakistan Customs by Fruits and Vegetable Processors and Exporters Association (FVPEA) when some importers and customs authorities of European and Gulf countries lodged complaints.

President FVPEA Mateen Siddiqui said that export of illegal items under the garb of mango exports was creating problem for the exporters as well as bringing bad name to the country.

These rules were finalized in a recently held meeting in the office of Collector Customs (Exports) Aftab Baloch and attended by director EPB and fruit and vegetable exporters.

From June 1, all shipment destined to entire Europe and Far East will be made in corrugated paper cartons, having at least 4 holes in gross weight of 2 kg, 3 kg, 4 kg and 5 kg. The weight will be clearly printed on every carton.

Cartons with lesser weight will not be accepted by the customs and the consignment would not be cleared at the Customs stage.

Shipment to Gulf and Middle East countries, where standardized weight is not acceptable, the gross weight will also be printed on the packing and clearly visible. The exporter will also provide packing list along with consignment.

The total weight and total number of cartons must tally with the original airway bill with a variation of only 5 per cent (plus or minus) in total weight will be accepted but number of cartons should remain unchanged.

Any variation over and above 5 per cent in weight and in number of carton will force Customs to reject and off-load the consignment and take legal action under the Customs Rules and Regulations against exporters.

The action included imposition of penalties, black-listing of exporting company and cancellation of export registration.—APP