ISLAMABAD, March 13: The value of dutiable imports fell by 0.27 per cent to Rs251.713 billion during the July-Feb period of the current financial year against Rs252.398 billion over the corresponding period last year.

The value of total imports surged by 4.97 per cent to Rs417.993 billion during the eight months of the current financial year against Rs398.167 billion during the same period last year.

On the other hand the total imports bill during the seven months, however, increased by 7.2 per cent to Rs375.364 billion against Rs350.113 billion during the same period last year.

On monthly basis, the value of dutiable imports in February fell by 6.36 per cent to Rs30.967 billion against Rs33.071 billion in the same month last year.

While the dutiable imports during the first seven months stood at Rs220.746 billion during the July-January period of the current financial year against Rs219.327 billion over the corresponding period of the last year, showing an increase of 0.64 per cent.

Official figures compiled by Central Board of Revenue (CBR) and released here on Monday, the value of duty free imports during the eight months of the current financial year stood at Rs166.28 billion this year against Rs145.769 billion, an increase of over 14 per cent.

While the value of the duty-free imports have surged by 18.22 per cent during the seven months of the current financial year as it stood at Rs154.61 billion this year against Rs130.78 billion during the same period last year.

The revenue receipts from imports in the July-Feb period of the current financial year stood at Rs25 billion against the target of Rs27.42 billion set for the same period, showing a decrease of 10.21 per cent.

Official sources in the CBR attributed the shortfall incurred in the custom duty to decrease in the effective rate of duty.

They said that the depreciation of rupee against dollar was also one of the main factors for decrease in customs duty collection.