FBR Introduces Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) for Karachi & Bin Qasim Ports

Key Objectives of FCA

1. Improving Assessment Quality: Ensures accuracy and consistency in customs assessments.
2. Transparency: Minimizes opportunities for biased decisions through faceless operations.
3. Workload Distribution: Rationalizes tasks among AOs, promoting operational efficiency.
4. Trade Facilitation: Introduces a faster and more uniform process for traders.

Operational Guidelines for the CAU

1. Scope and Coverage:
   • Initially, consignments arriving at Karachi Port and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim (PMBQ) will be processed via CAU.
   • GDs filed at the Collectorates of Appraisement East, West, SAPT, and PMBQ will be allocated to the CAU.
   • Future expansion will include Air Freight Units (AFUs), dry ports, and border customs stations.
2. Central Appraising Unit (CAU) Setup:
   • The CAU will be physically located at a designated site in Karachi, notified by the Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (South).
   • A secure, isolated workspace will be maintained to ensure a distraction-free environment.
   • Use of cellular phones within the CAU is strictly prohibited.
3. Assignment of GDs:
   • GDs will be assigned to AOs in a random, group-less setting on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis through the Customs Computerized System (CCS).
4. Assessment and Review Process:
   • Assessments will adhere to the Customs Act, 1969, and its associated rules, including valuation rulings, CGOs, and other relevant regulations.
   • If documents are requested during the assessment, the same AO/PA will handle the GD upon submission of those documents for continuity.
   • Reviews against the initial assessment will be randomly assigned to Principal Appraisers (PAs) in the CAU.
5. Quality Assurance and Accountability:
   • A dedicated assessment quality assurance team will re-check randomly selected GDs (both cleared and under clearance).
   • Quality assurance will factor into performance evaluations of AOs and PAs.
6. Special Cases and Legal Compliance:
   • GDs requiring provisional assessments, exemptions, or specific legal provisions will be forwarded to the relevant Assistant/Deputy Collector of the concerned group.
   • Instances of misdeclaration or law violations will be escalated to the PA for appropriate action.
7. Post-Clearance Actions:
   • Activities such as contravention cases, audit observations, short-payment recoveries, and litigation will remain the responsibility of the respective Collectorates.
8. Monitoring and Anti-Evasion:
   • The Collector Headquarters (Appraisement-South) will have full visibility over the CAU’s GDs for vigilance and anti-evasion purposes.

Expected Benefits of FCA

1. Enhanced Efficiency: The random allocation and faceless assessment eliminate manual interventions, reducing delays and ensuring swift processing.
2. Improved Accountability: Quality assurance measures foster accountability among assessing officers and appraisers.
3. Reduced Corruption Risks: The faceless nature of the process minimizes opportunities for biased or manipulative assessments.
4. Streamlined Trade Operations: Transparent and uniform processes bolster trade confidence and facilitate business activities.

Next Steps and Future Rollout

• Following its implementation at Karachi Port and PMBQ, the FCA system will be extended to other terminals, including AFUs, dry ports, and border customs stations across Pakistan.
• Training sessions and guidelines for stakeholders will likely accompany future phases of implementation to ensure smooth adoption nationwide.

This modernization effort by FBR marks a significant step toward digitization, accountability, and facilitation in Pakistan’s customs operations. It aligns with global standards for efficient trade practices and positions Pakistan’s customs framework for enhanced international credibility.