Baggage rules for expats having FERCs relaxed

SOHAIL SARFRAZ

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to relax Baggage Rules, 2006 for the Pakistani nationals having Foreign Exchange Remittance Cards (FERCs) with regard to seven electronic items.

Sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that the FBR will has decided to amend the Baggage Rules, 2006 to clearly define availability of 'duty credit' on seven electronic items including television, deep freezer, refrigerator, microwave oven, cooking range, washing machine and air conditioner for the Pakistani nationals having the FERCs.

Sources further stated that the FBR will facilitate the holders of the FERC under the special allowance available to them under the existing baggage rules. At present, some Model Customs Collectorates are giving facility of duty credit on the above said seven electronic items whereas some other MCCs are not granting credit facility on some items to the FERC holders. This has created problems for the overseas Pakistanis having FERCs while availing duty credit on electronic items. Following amendment in the baggage rules, overseas Pakistanis having FERCs would not face any difficulty while obtaining duty credit on electronic items.

The customs authorities have found that the baggage rules have specifically mentioned that in addition to the available allowances, the duty credit shall be admissible to a Pakistani national holding FERC once in a calendar year. The duty credit can also be utilised for the unaccompanied baggage or any purchase from one of the duty free shops. The duty credit under this scheme shall not be utilisable on import of vehicles. The utilisation of duty credit shall be endorsed by the customs on the passport of an FERC holder. The rules clearly show that except vehicles, duty credit is available on the import of other items by the overseas Pakistanis having FERCs.

Despite the fact that the existing Baggage Rules, 2006 are very much clear on the Special allowances for Foreign Exchange Remittance Cardholders, the FBR has decided to further clarify the provision to remove any confusion among the customs officials as well as holders of the FERC, sources maintained.

According to sources, the FBR will bring clearly in the sub-rule 5 (Special allowances for Foreign Exchange Remittance Cardholders) of the Baggage Rules, 2006 to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis having FERC. This would also help the customs department while clearance of the baggage of the FERC holders.