ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue’s Directorate of Cross Border Currency Movement (CBCM) has been designated as the overall data repository of all Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Counter Financing Terrorism (CFT) related cases pertaining to Pakistan Customs.

According to a notification issued by the FBR on Wednesday, the FBR has directed customs staff at Border Stations, Sea Ports, Dry Ports and airports to maintain data of seized goods under the AML Act.

The FBR’s record keeping and reporting framework for customs revealed that the Directorate of CBCM shall be the overall data repository of all AML/CFT related cases pertaining to Pakistan Customs, including cases referred to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), whether such cases are initiated on the reports of Financial Monitoring Unit (EMU) or of the Collectorates/Directorates of Pakistan Customs.

All Collectorates/ Directorates of Pakistan Customs shall also maintain an updated record of all cases of predicate offences and shall submit monthly reports to the Chief, Facilitation & Compliance (F&C), FBR with intimation to the Chief, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Cell, FBR. All Collectorates/Directorates shall intimate the Directorate of CBCM on monthly basis about the number of money laundering (ML) cases, including cases referred to CTD or other agencies.

The International Customs (IC) Section of the Customs Wing, FBR shall maintain record/data of all incoming and outgoing MLA requests on the prescribed format.

All Collectorates /Directorates shall be bound to respond to the MLA request received from International Customs (IC) Section of FBR within the specified timelines, if any, and shall keep an updated record of all incoming and outgoing MLA requests pertaining to their respective jurisdiction.

The FBR has also given responsibilities to the Border Stations, Sea Ports, Dry Ports, Airports & Other Field Units. They would be required maintenance and updating of data of seizures of goods under the Customs Act, 1969 and other predicate offences, listed in Schedule-I of the AMLA, 2010 as per CGO 04/2019 dated 6th May 2019.

All Collectorates/ Directorates shall be required to send biannual reports to the Chief, FATF Cell, FBR on new risks and propose corresponding mitigation measures so that risk assessment, risk mitigation strategy and risk-based approach are updated for a dynamic and robust AML/CFT regime across all Pakistan Customs formations.

Risk-based approach should be followed while posting officers and officials at strategic locations and posts. While issuing their placement orders, it should be ensured by the respective heads of the Collectorate/Directorate that such officers and officials have acquired the relevant AML/CFT related training, the FBR added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023