ISLAMABAD: with the direction of the Federal Board of Revenue, Air Freight Unit (AFU) has blocked the National Tax Number (NTN) of Chinese company named BGP due to non-payment of surcharges. The Chinese company has to deposit Rs45.00million as a 01.00 % tax against its import consignment (BGP is one of the world’s leading geophysical service companies delivering a wide range of technologies, services and equipment to the oil and gas industry). The company did not agree to pay 1% of Customs Duty. The AFU Islamabad will remain open on Saturday. The AFU Export section is doing business above the marks during current Financial Year 2016-17.
According to details told by Shahid Jan, Deputy Collector Customs AFU, while giving an exclusive interview to Customs Today, he said the AFU had issued demand notice on 13th of April 2017 to the BGP but they still did not deposit the above said amount into the account of the AFU Islamabad adding the said Chinese company promised after reminding many times that it will deposit the above said amount till 20th of April FY16-17. He said if Rs45million Customs Duty is deposited into the account of the AFU, the amount will provide a big boost to meet the assigned target of the AFU for the month of April FY2016-17. He said the BGP cannot continue imports due to blocked NTN Number, the block NTN will reopen after the deposit of the due amount.
Answering a query, he said the growth rate of collection of the AFU under the head of CD is 25% upward against the corresponding Financial Year 2015-16 adding that till now the AFU collected revenue of Rs176million under the head of Customs Duty. In this way, the AFU is Rs35million forward against collection of the last month (March) FY15-16. He said the AFU is forwarded against the corresponding year but assigned target is very much hard to chase.
He said the AFU administration is trying to get desired revenue through telecom companies adding that most of the revenue comes to AFU by imported consignment of telecom companies like Uphone, Telenor, Warid, PTCL and others.
Deputy Collector Shahid Jan said the AFU has deposited various kinds of confiscated foreign currencies of Rs20 into account of The State Bank Pakistan (SBP) which will come to AFU account under the head of Customs Duty. He added that the deposited foreign currencies comprise US Dollars, Chinese Yuan, Saudi Riyal, UAE Dinar and other ones.
Answering a query regarding the Exports at AFU, he said Export Section’s performance is above expectation of the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad. During the first 15 days of current month of April, the Exports section processed 936 Goods Declarations (GD) whereas the Exports section processed 783 GDs through WeBOC and 143 GDs processed by One Customs. The Exports section earned business through WeBOC under the value of Rs.839.097million and through One Customs it earned business valued Rs2.5millions.
During nine months (July to March) of current Financial Year2016-17, the Exports Section entertained about 19,002 Goods Declarations (GDs), he added. The main goods exported to different European and Middle East countries comprise textile fabrics, fresh fruits and vegetables, leather goods, surgical instruments and sports goods. He said the GD Registration Section recorded eight to 10 GDs on daily basis.
During the first nine months of FY2016-17, the exports of textile garments were on the rise as compared to other items. Out of total consignments, above 50% earning consists of textile fabrics and garments, Shahid Jan said.
He said the Customs Export Section of the AFU entertained Rs14963.85million of export business during seven months from July to January FY16-17 adding that the AFU Exports Section processed 16,618 Goods Declarations during seven months from July to January. The Customs Export Section of the AFU received more exports business of Rs3.77million than the assigned target for January 2017.
During January FY2016-17, the Export Section of the AFU generated collection of Rs1775.81million against the set target of Rs1708.78million.
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