Afghan transit trade regime: All containers to undergo NII scanning: FBR

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to scan/examine all containers under the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) regime through the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) system.

Through a directive issued to the customs field formations, the FBR has also decided to pick 30 percent of the total import and export containers under the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) facility at terminals.

The FBR has approved/notified the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) protocol, subject to condition that it will be implemented in phases and NII procedures shall also apply to loose/non-containerized cargo.

Under the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII), the examination of cargo is done utilizing X-ray or gamma-ray scanning technology without compromising the container’s integrity. A small percentage of green channel consignments would also be examined to maintain deterrence, the FBR added.

To establish a clear, transparent, and internationally compliant Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the use of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) scanners operated by Terminal Operators across Pakistan. This procedure ensures trade facilitation, reduction in dwell time, better revenue collection, and enhanced border security by integrating high-quality scanning images into the Customs Risk Management System (RMS) and assessment/audit procedures.

It specifically aims to integrate high-quality NII data into the RMS and centralized audit systems, adhering to the principles of the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards for security and trade facilitation, the FBR said.

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In order to ensure safety/integrity of international supply chain and recognizing the elevated security risk associated with transit movements, all containers under the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) regime are subject to 100 percent mandatory NII scanning at the designated Port of Entry and the port/Border of Exit. The matching of images captured at entry and exit points shall be mandatory, preferably through AI enabled algorithm.

The Terminal Operator or the Service Provider is contractually obliged to ensure NII equipment operates with 98% uptime and meets the technical specifications for Penetration and Imaging Quality as defined in the respective service level agreement (eg, penetrate at least 340 mm of steel).

The ATT cargo is subjected to scanning, unless otherwise directed by the Board. All NII images must be encrypted and transmitted to the CIR in real time, preventing local alteration or deletion.

Cargo for NII must be selected through the RMS based on the criteria as determined by the Risk Management System Committee duly notified by the Board. However, the committee might like to consider a tiered approach for cargo selection for NII:

Scanning of Transshipment cargo shall be conducted based on the RMS and specific intelligence.

When scanned, the images shall be primarily used to compare the images with the declaration made by the trader in the Goods Declaration, identify presence of high-risk/prohibited goods (eg, arms, narcotics, radioactive and ensure that no high-risk/prohibited goods (eg, arms, narcotics, radioactive material) are introduced into the domestic supply chain or transit/transshipment route and identify en-route pilferage of goods under transit or transshipment, the FBR added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025