FBR Enhances Customs Operations with Faceless System at Karachi Port

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has implemented the Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) system in Karachi as part of its transformation plan, beginning on December 15, 2024.

This effort is a crucial part of the Prime Minister-approved transformation strategy, which aims to make customs clearance operations more transparent and efficient.

Jamil Nasir, chief collector of customs appraisal, made the announcement during a press briefing held at the customs house. He said that the Central Appraisal Unit (CAU) will be tasked with assessing all import goods declarations (GDs) lodged after midnight in the appraisal collectorates of Karachi. Recently published by the FBR, Customs General Order (CGO) No.6 of 2024 governs the operations of the CAU, which is based at the South Asia Pakistan Terminal in Karachi.

What Nasir meant was that the system will provide accurate and timely information in an effort to make customs processing more transparent. In addition, he mentioned that the FCA system is made to expedite customs clearance, cut down on wait times, and increase productivity.

The system also includes accountability systems for customs personnel, which the Chief Collector emphasized. These procedures reward honest officers and penalize those who fail to comply with protocols. The FCA contains a risk management component that identifies and mitigates any risks during the customs clearance procedure.

After the system is successfully implemented in Karachi, it will be expanded to upcountry ports and border stations, according to the Chief Collector. A safe environment has been set up for house appraisers and principal appraisers, and 55 officers have already been posted to the CAU.

To further guarantee efficiency and responsibility among customs evaluating officers, a performance management system based on incentives has also been implemented. The method includes both rewards and punishments for officers who do their jobs well.

Along with the introduction of the FCA, the requirements for becoming a Customs Clearing Agent and the licensing system have been changed.

A new points-scoring system is being implemented to incentivize agents to provide correct descriptions, values, and provenance data for items. Licenses may be revoked for agents who do not improve their declarations.

The CAU is an aspect of larger customs reforms that seek to streamline processes and ease trade. After getting the ball rolling at Karachi’s port terminals, the FCA will move on to other locations, such as AFUs, dry ports, and border customs stations.

To ensure compliance with the Customs Act 1969 and other related rules, the Customs Computerized System (CCS) will randomly issue GDs on a first-in, first-out basis.