PaCCS jurisdiction curtailed: all goods will be cleared through WeBOC

Pakistan has reduced its reliance on the customs clearance system designed by foreign company, curtailing the jurisdiction of Pakistan Customs Computerised System (PaCCS) and allowing customs clearance of the PaCCS consignments from Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Port Qasim through Web Based One Customs (WeBOC).
In this connection, the FBR has issued a notification here on Monday to curtail the jurisdiction of the PaCCS at Karachi. Following issuance of the notification, all containerised cargo routed through Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) would now be cleared through the Port Qasim under the WeBOC. Through amendments in the SRO.967(I)/2007, the FBR has curtailed the powers and jurisdiction of Collector Model Customs Collectorate PaCCS Karachi.
Sources told Business Recorder that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken a practical step for replacing foreign customs clearance system with locally developed system at Pakistani ports. In the first phase, the PaCCS consignments of the QICT would be cleared through the locally developed WeBOC. Previously, the PaCCS was used as the sole system to clear the consignments at three ports of Karachi ie QICT, Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) and Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT).
The FBR has witnessed that the MCC Port Qasim Karachi has been successfully using the locally developed WeBOC system for clearance of consignments for the last four months. In view of smooth functioning of the WeBOC at Port Qasim, the FBR has also allowed this MCC to clear the PaCCS consignments, which were earlier cleared through the QICT. Sources said that it is a major breakthrough to allow a Pakistani system to clear the consignments, which were earlier cleared through the PaCCS.
This reflects gradual reduction in the reliance on systems developed by foreign companies. The reason for empowering the MCC Port Qasim to clear consignments through the WeBOC is the successful experience of the locally developed customs clearance system. Practically, for the first time, Pakistani customs authorities have shown its full confidence in the WeBOC for clearance of consignments, which were earlier cleared through the PaCCS. The clearances made from the QICT would now be made through the Port Qasim as per the SRO issued here on Monday.
Sources said that the applicability of the decision would soon be announced by the FBR. The FBR may allow clearance of all such consignments through the Port Qasim Collectorate from October 1, 2011 or with effect from September 23, depending on the clarification from the Board. A customs general order (CGO) of the FBR or Board's instructions is also expected to be issued in this regard.
Following is the text of the notification issued here on Monday: In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969) and sections 30 and 31 of the Sales Tax Act 1990, the Federal Board of Revenue is pleased to direct that the following further amendments shall be made in its Notification No SRO.967(I)/2007 dated the 20th September 2011 namely:-
In the aforesaid Notification, in the SCHEDULE, in column (I)
(a) Against serial number 3, in column (3), in entry (i) after the word "Karachi", the words and comma", excluding all containerised cargo routed through QICT shall be inserted: and;
(b) against serial number 6, in column(3), in entry (I) for the words and comma "but excluding the work assigned to Model Customs Collectorate of PACCS Karachi" the words "including containerised cargo routed through QICT shall be substituted, the notification added.