The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended time period for filing of goods declarations from existing 10 days of arrival of goods to 15 days, for all Import General Manifests (IGMs) filed between March 17, 2020, and April 2020.
In this regard, the FBR has issued instructions to the chief collectors of Customs and collectors of Customs here on Monday. According to the FBR, although the Collectorates of Customs across Pakistan are operating normally, however, on account of the ongoing lockdown by the provincial governments to address the prevailing pandemic of the COVID-19, the importers and clearing agents are facing hardship in filing of goods' declarations within the time limit prescribed under Section 79(i) read with Section 156(1) (47A) of the Customs Act, 1969.
The consequent penalty on this account is causing hardship to the traders as the circumstances for late filing, prima facie, beyond their control. Requests have also been received from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) for extension in the said time limit for filing of goods' declarations.
In order to facilitate the trade, the FBR has extended the time for filing of goods' declaration in exercise of powers under Section 224 of the Customs Act, 1969 from the existing 10 days of arrival of goods, as prescribed under Section 79(i) of the Customs Act 1969 to further five days (total 25 days) for all IGMs filed between March 17, 2020, and April 2020.