FBR to implement Faceless Customs Assessment system at Karachi from 15th Dec

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is set to launch the Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) System on December 15, 2024, at Karachi under its Transformation Plan, as announced in a news release on Saturday. The FCA is a key element of the FBR’s strategic transformation, approved by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Under this system, all import goods declarations filed after midnight at the Appraisement Collectorates in Karachi will be routed to the Central Appraising Unit (CAU) for assessment. The CAU, recently established at the South Asia Pakistan Terminal Karachi as per CGO No.6 of 2024, is designed to centralize and streamline the customs appraisal process.

Corporate Profits in FY24: Earnings Up 25%, Dividend Rises 30%

The introduction of the FCA system is expected to revolutionize the operational dynamics of the Customs Department. By minimizing clearance times and enhancing efficiency and transparency, the system aims to significantly facilitate trade activities.

Following its initial implementation in Karachi, the FCA system will be expanded to upcountry ports and border stations, with the customs appraisement function being relocated outside the traditional Customs Collectorates.

To ensure smooth operations, specialized housing arrangements have been made for appraisers and principal appraisers in a secure environment, with 55 officers already deployed to the CAU. Additionally, an incentive-based performance management mechanism has been introduced to encourage diligence and integrity among customs appraising officers. This system will reward officers who demonstrate exemplary performance.

The FBR has also revamped the eligibility criteria and licensing regulations for Customs Clearing Agents. A point-scoring system is being introduced to ensure the accuracy and quality of declarations. Agents providing truthful and high-quality declarations regarding the description, value, and origin of goods will earn higher scores, improving their professional profiles. Conversely, agents with consistent inaccuracies will lose points, which could ultimately lead to license cancellation.

The FBR expects the FCA system to bring a paradigm shift in customs operations, fostering accountability, transparency, and efficiency in Pakistan’s trade and customs environment.