FBR Withdraws Draft Notification After Baggage Rules Misinterpretation

In a recent development, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued a clarification regarding its draft SRO 2028(I)/2024 dated December 6th, 2024, which proposed amendments to the Baggage Rules.

The draft notification, intended to clarify the regulations concerning products transported in baggage for commercial purposes, resulted in misunderstandings and erroneous media reports indicating that the value of personal baggage was restricted to USD 1,200.

The FBR has clarified that the stipulated limit of USD 1,200, as outlined in the draft notification, pertains solely to commodities imported for trade or financial profit, commonly referred to as “commercial quantity.” The clarification underscored that this limitation does not pertain to items intended for personal use or gifts, which are exempt from this restriction.

The Board additionally articulated that the purpose of the draft notification was to mitigate the exploitation of baggage facilities by commercial carriers, rather than to impose limitations on personal baggage. In light of the prevalent misinterpretation, especially across social media platforms, the FBR has resolved to retract the draft notification to avert any additional confusion.

The FBR has assured the public that personal belongings and legitimate cargo items will not be subject to confiscation by Customs, even if their value surpasses USD 1,200.