Computerisation, trade facilitation: MCCs of north region take major steps

The six Model Customs Collectorates of North Region have taken major steps in computerisation and trade facilitation by implementing new Management Information System (MIS) for maintaining transit data and automated system for clearance of Afghan Transit Trade consignments under the new transit trade agreement signed between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Saturday that Aftab Anwar Baloch, Chief Collector of Customs (North), has planned further improvements in the system in 2011-12 to make the customs stations business-friendly in the North Region and to further improve it and bring it at par with international standard.
Some of the major achievements of the Chief Collector of Customs (North) include steps to further improve and update the computerisation process so as to minimise human interaction between Customs officers and the stakeholders (ie importers, exporters, clearing agents, etc). The MIS has been designed for transit data and automated marking system for ATT and export consignments has been enabled. The office has introduced a paperless clearance system. The 'Weboc' (web-based customs clearance system) usage has been increased from 30 percent to 100 percent in AFU Islamabad after conducting theoretical and hands-on training sessions of clearing agents. Similarly, automated marking of export goods declarations (GDs) has been introduced in all MCCs of North Region. At the same time, 100 percent e-filing have been ensured and renowned and reputed clearing agents have been trained by DOT, Lahore and PRAL.
Moreover, the connectivity of One-Customs with ST data has been linked up and 100 percent e-filing has been ensured at AFU, Lahore, on the pattern of AFU, Islamabad. The auction modules have been updated and module for exemption certificates issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been developed by PRAL.
About the achievement of targets, Aftab Baloch informed the FBR that Rs 4818 million was allotted to all the six Model Customs Collectorates of North Region for the month of June, 2011, against which Rs 5839 million has been realized, surpassing the monthly target by Rs 1021 million or 21 percent. The actual collection during the fiscal year 2010-11 had worked out to Rs 33972 million as against Rs 29083 million collected during 2009-10 showing an increase of Rs 4889 million or 17 percent. The target assigned to North Region by the Board for the fiscal year 2010-11 was Rs 33934 million against while actual collection stood at Rs 33972 million surpassing the target by Rs 38 million. A huge collection of Rs 1271 million was registered during the last day of June, 2011, which is a record collection of a day by any standard.
The anti-smuggling performance showed that the Anti Smuggling Organisation in the North Region was activated and targets in respect of seizure of non-duty paid/smuggled vehicles and contraband goods was assigned to all six Collectorates of MCCs of North Region during March, 2011. The assigned target has successfully been achieved and 510 vehicles, valuing Rs 534.68 million, and contraband goods valuing Rs 1012.64 million were seized during March-June, 2011. The seized contraband goods comprised cloth, electronic items, tyres & tubes, lubricant oil, scrap, auto parts, tea, cigarettes, etc.