KARACHI: The movement of Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) and goods meant for the upcountry dry-ports on Wednesday came to a complete halt after the customs authorities cancelled registration of all the existing bonded vehicles.

As a result the outward movement of cargo came to standstill causing heavy congestion at Karachi and Qasim ports. The representatives of bonded carriers opposed the short notice given by the customs authorities for the renewal and re-validation of the registration certificates.

However the Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement on Sept 26, 2011 issued circular No.5/2011 informing the bonded carriers that the validity period for permit of vehicles registered before July 1, 2011 expires on Sept 30, 2011. The circular specifically mentioned that applications along with required documents for fresh registration of bonded vehicles for next year (Oct 1, 2011 to Sept 30, 2012) should be submitted before Sept 30, 2011.

The All Pakistan Customs Bonded Carrier Association (APCBCA) was negotiating with customs authorities to settle the issue but talks broke down that led to cancellation of permits.

A delegation of the APCBCA held several meetings with the customs authorities and also apprised them about the problems confronting the bonded carriers in renewing their registration certificates.

There are around 10,000 registered bonded carriers with the customs authorities and around 20 companies own these vehicles. On Oct 5, 2011 these companies in a joint statement demanded the collector of Customs MCC Appraisement to extend the date of renewal of registration to Dec 31, 2011.

The bonded carriers body also held meeting with Additional Collector of Customs I and II informing that the owners of old and new bonded carriers were of unanimous view that there should be ‘open pool’ system for the smooth transportation of ATT cargo and trans-shipment cargo.

“A foreign logistic company has complained that bonded carriers registration with customs authorities is frustrating because the licencing branch demand illegal gratification to the tune of Rs10,000 per vehicle,” a leader of APCBCA told Dawn.