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Customs introduces electronic assessment system

KARACHI: The Collectorate of Customs (Appraisment) has introduced "Electronic Assessment System" (Easy) for the assessment of bills of entry effective from February 1.

Under 'Easy', on presentation, the bill of entries relating to selected items/importers will be entered in the computer at the Customer Service Centre.

The computer will automatically assess the liability of duties and taxes and the process of manifestation and assessment of the bill of entry will be completed simultansouly in the Customs Service Centre.

After this the importer/clearing agent will straight away proceed to make payment of duties and taxes in the cash branch.

There will be no need now to take the entry to Appraising groups for assessment.

After payment of taxes, the importer/clearing agent will take delivery from the port after examination.

According to the Collectorate sources this system aims at:

(i) expenditious assessment of bills of entry,

(ii) reduction of contract between tax officer and tax payer,

(iii) reliance on automation for assessment, and

(iv) simplification of procedure.

In the first phase almost over one hundred importers/firms/multinational companies, who are listed for "Express Lane Facility", alongwith imports made by public sector organisations viz federal/provincial governments/state-owned corporations/local bodies and universities etc. are being dealt under "Easy" scheme.

This system is also available in respect of goods which are liable to zero percent rate of duty or specific rates of duty.

The appraising group will now carry out post clearance confirmation of the assessment.

The procedure and list of eligible importers/items has not only been circulated it is also being made available on the Internet (on CBR's web site) as well as on monitors of Customers Service Centre. APP