Beyond admissible quota limit: around 4770 liters of imported liquor in process of customs clearance

In a clear violation of Customs Rules, 2001, around 4.77 metric ton (4770 liters) of liquor imported in the names of foreign companies is in the process of customs clearance; it is learnt here on Tuesday. According to sources, the Government of Pakistan has fixed a quota of liquor for foreigners. However, three liquor consignments imported by foreign companies are in the process of clearance at appraisement Collectorate East.
Sources said that declared values of liquor imported through these consignments are found to be very low as compared with prices obtained from Diplomatic Bond Section, MCC (Preventive), Karachi. They said that although these consignments are imported under a fixed quota regime, the assessment of liquor is not only higher than declared values but also exceeded from allocated quota. They said that expatriate employees of foreign or local companies, oil drilling companies, foreign media personnel experts, consultants, and technicians is being regulated under the FBR booklet regime.
They said that as per Customs Rules, 2001, foreign experts, consultants or technicians are allowed to import liquor up to US $100 per month on payment of duty / taxes while foreign nationals employed in loan funded projects could import alcoholic beverages valuing up to t US $200 per family per month.
Similarly, the FBR has granted permission to import duty/tax free commissary goods including liquor up to US $1200 per annum for foreign employees and consultants of petroleum sector companies, contractors and sub-contractors. When contacted, sources in appraisement Collectorate East, on a condition of anonymity, said that Collectorate has taken these consignments in custody as liquor imported through these consignments is beyond the admissible quota limit.
Moreover, sources said that although appraisement Collectorate East is being pressurised to release it, we have shown reluctance to do the same. Therefore, a letter has been sent to the member customs, seeking directives from the board regarding the clearance of these consignments, sources maintained. They said that Collectorate through its letter sought some clarifications from board to process these consignments.
Sources said that as per clause 5 (b) of the import policy, liquor is importable only for foreign diplomatic missions in Pakistan under the Diplomatic and Consular Privileges Act, 1972 and added that the said provisions are prima facie at variance with the FBR booklet regime in vogue for liquor. However, this Collectorate is of the view that the FBR booklet regime provides legal cover to import of liquor by foreign companies. Keeping this in view, the board is requested to communicate formal instructions to the Collectorate as clearance of these consignments is now subjected to the approval of board, sources said.