KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs authorities have beefed up security and tightened the clearance process at Air Freight Unit (AFU) after the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation detected a mobile phones’ smuggling case in the recent month.
In a letter issued by the Chief Collector Enforcement South Manzoor Memon, the customs authorities are advised to should conduct 100 percent examination of the imported consignments in order to curb smuggling.
After the issuance of the directives, the Customs staff at AFU is conducting thorough examination and assessment of the imported consignments which are being kept at different sheds.
The effective measures on one hand, proving fruitful for controlling and curing the smuggling of contraband items while, on the other hand, affecting the clearance of the imported consignments at AFU, which also causing detention/demurrage charges to the importers.
The importers were of the view that the “Immediate Clearance Group” is meant for rapid clearance of the imported consignments, but 100 percent examination at ICG is affecting the business of the importers at AFU.