The Pakistani customs laws can be very confusing for those entering the import/export business or those who aren’t clear on the latest regulations. At Josh and Mak we have worked with companies who deal with the importation of the following goods into Pakistan and the list is growing all the time:
Paper, paperboard and articles, firebricks refractory, refractory ceramic goods, iron and steel, special machinery for particular industry, pharmaceutical products, metal working machinery, organic chemicals, lubricating petroleum oil, plant/machinery and equipment, manufactures of metals, telecommunication appliances/equipment, vegetables and fruits, plastic material, chemical material & products, power generating machinery/equipment/parts, transport equipment, dairy products & bird eggs, miscellaneous edible products and preparation, parts, un-milled wheat, seeds of vegetables, mustard oil, surgical instruments, office machinery and auto data processors.
Legal Services Related to Exports from Pakistan
We have all successfully dealt with companies who export the following items from Pakistan, and many more besides;
Textile yarn & fabrics, articles of apparel/cloth accessories, footwear, leather, leather manufactures, guar meal, guar gum, guar protein extracts, surgical instruments, fruit, arts resins/plastic material, chemical material, refractory cements, mortars, electric machinery/appliances, refractory blocks/tiles, viscose fiber, rayon fiber and sports goods.
Import/export terms and definitions for the legislation in Pakistan
Bill of Lading
A bill of lading (also referred to as a BOL or B/L) is a document issued by a carrier, eg, a ship’s master or by a company’s shipping department, acknowledging that specified goods have been received on board as cargo for conveyance to a named place for delivery to the consignee who is usually identified.
CARE
Care is short for Customs Administrative Reforms and is a project of the Central Board of Revenue which oversees reforms in Pakistani customs. The project was initiated in February 2002 and since its inception CARE has carried out research and development work to enhance the efficiency of the department.
Cost and Freight (CFR)
Cost and Freight (CFR) means that the seller pays for transportation to the Port of Loading (POL), subsequent loading and the freight. The buyer pays for the insurance and transportation of the goods from the Port of Discharge (POD) to his factory. The passing of risk occurs when the goods pass the ship’s rail at the port of shipment which means that this term cannot be used for airfreight or land transport and also is inappropriate for most container sea shipments.
Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF)
Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) is a common term in a sales contract that may be encountered in international trading when ocean transport is used. When a price is quoted as CIF, it means that the selling price includes the cost of the goods, the freight or transport costs and also the cost of marine insurance.
Carriage and Insurance Paid (CIP)
The passing of risk occurs when the goods have been delivered into the custody of the first carrier. This means that the buyer bears all risk and any additional costs occurring after the goods have been so delivered. This is the same as CPT except that the seller also pays for the insurance. The seller is required to obtain insurance only on minimum cover; additional coverage is the responsibility of the buyer or must be agreed between the seller and buyer. Under CIP, the seller is also required to clear the goods for export.
Carriage Paid To (CPT)
CPT can apply to all modes of transport including multi-modal transport. The seller pays for the freight to the named point of destination. The buyer pays for the insurance. The passing of risk occurs when the goods have been delivered into the custody of the first carrier.
Free Along Side (FAS)
Free Along Side (FAS) means that the seller pays for transportation of the goods to the port of shipment. The buyer pays loading costs, freight, insurance, unloading costs and transportation from the port of destination to his factory. The passing of risk occurs when the goods have been delivered to the quay at the port of shipment.
Free Carrier (FCA)
The seller delivers the goods into the custody of the first carrier, and this is where risk passes from seller to buyer. The buyer pays for the transportation. It can be used for all modes of transportation including multi-modal transport, such as in shipping containers where the ship’s rail plays no relevant part in determining a shipping point. FCA is also the term to use in place of FOB for airfreight transactions.
Free On Board (FOB)
Free On Board (FOB) is also commonly but incorrectly referred to as “Freight on Board”. It means that the seller pays for transportation of the goods to the port of shipment, plus loading costs. The buyer pays freight, insurance, unloading costs and transportation from the port of destination to the factory. The passing of risks occurs when the goods pass the ship’s rail at the port of shipment. Internationally the term specifies the port of loading.
Letter of Credit (LC)
A letter of credit is a document issued mostly by a financial institution which usually provides an irrevocable payment undertaking (it can sometimes be revocable, confirmed, unconfirmed, transferable or others e.g. back to back or revolving but is most commonly irrevocable/confirmed) to a beneficiary against complying documents as stated in the credit.
Pakistan Customs Computerised System (PACCS)
PACCS stands for Pakistan Customs Computerized System and it is the first end-to-end automated solution for Customs in the world.
PACCS has four major components:
• TARIP (Tariff and Integrated Policy)
• INTRA (Integrated Regulatory Authorities)
• ECHO (Enhanced Cargo Handling)
• ACCESS (Automated Customs Clearance System)
Josh and Mak International will take care of any issues you may have regarding the customs laws of Pakistan, irrelevant of whether you are sole importer/exporter or a large corporation. Our experts will work with you and for you to ensure that there is no breaches in your business practices and you won’t fall foul of any of the Pakistani customs laws.
