Transportation of coastal goods: FBR directs shipping vessels to install online tracking device

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed the shipping vessels, engaged in transportation of coastal goods from one port in Pakistan to another, to have online tracking device for real-time tracking to follow the approved geo-fenced routes only. According to the Transportation of Coastal Goods Rules, 2020 issued by the FBR here on Tuesday, the customs authorities shall have a real-time access to online tracking of the vessel and can call any agency for checking the vessel en-route as per provisions of the Customs Act, 1969.

The new rules shall apply to the goods transported in a coasting vessel from one port in Pakistan to another, excluding imported goods on which customs duty has not been paid and also exclude baggage and stores.

These rules shall also apply to the full container load (FCL) containerized cargo being carried in domesticated or imported containers or the less than container load (LCL) or the bulk cargo as the case may be.

A specific timeframe shall be provided to any coasting vessel for the voyage, to be prescribed by the board, and the vessel must report to the unloading port within that specific time period.

However, in cases of exceptional circumstances, the timeframe of the vessel may be extended by the Collector of Customs.

In case, where master of the vessel or his authorised agent fails to provide an appropriate explanation for the delay, the collector of customs unloading or discharge port collectorate may block the vessel from future carrying the coastal goods.

The vessel carrying the coastal goods under these rules shall not call at any foreign port after departure from loading port and before arrival at discharging or unloading coastal port and shall not load or unload any other cargo during the voyage, the FBR said. No vessel which has been loaded with any coastal goods at any customs port or coastal port shall depart from such port until the concerned Customs officer signs the outward general manifest and gives port clearance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021