APTMA urges FBR to retain Karachi’s CAU amid clearance delays
Pakistan’s textile industry has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to retain its Central Appraising Unit (CAU) in Karachi and review the faceless customs assessment system, citing longer clearance times, valuation disputes and rising costs for importers. In a letter dated October 27 to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) said the system…
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to retain the Central Appraising Unit (CAU) in Karachi and review the faceless customs assessment system. The industry is facing longer clearance times, valuation disputes, and rising costs for importers due to the new system. A letter from APTMA to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial cites a 40.2-hour average assessment time, a drop to 70% from 84% of consignments cleared within 48 hours, and a rise in review requests to 14% from 6% since the introduction of faceless customs assessment on December 15, 2024.
The FBR review committee found no improvement in assessment quality and advised against further rollout until a review. The APTMA argues that relocating CAU to Islamabad would worsen the situation, as Karachi is the hub for seaborne imports with necessary examination facilities, laboratories, terminals, and technical personnel. The association proposes suspending further expansion or changes to the system until an independent review, establishing a dedicated backlog clearance cell, prioritizing electronic filing and export-oriented imports, and extending green-channel treatment to compliant importers.
They also suggest binding timelines for assessment and review processes to reduce delays and prevent disruptions to textile production and exports.
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