'Overseas Pakistanis can import vehicle after two years'

Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Dr Asif Mahmood Jah in his verdict declared that overseas Pakistanis are entitled to import vehicles under personnel baggage scheme, transfer of residence and gift scheme who have not imported, gifted or received a vehicle during the last two years under Import Policy Order (IPO), 2022.

The FTO Advisor Dr Waqar Ch Arain disclosed this to the business community while addressing an awareness session here Sunday.

He added that the FTO has instructed the Director, Directorate of Reforms & Automation Karachi, to develop and deploy e-CRF sent by the Collectorate of Customs, Appraisement (West) Karachi, enabling the assessing officer to ensure that no goods declaration (GD) is filed on a new passport by the same importer, who has imported a vehicle on his old passport under Baggage, Transfer of Residence and Gift Scheme within the last two years.

He said a complaint was filed against the Chief Collector, Appraisement (South), Karachi and Director, Directorate of Customs, Reforms & Automation Karachi, regarding delay in clearance of vehicles by overseas Pakistanis and misuse of immigration data.

He further explained that presently, the WeBOC system does not allow filing of GD, if another GD is being filed on the same passport number within two years. However, there is no check if a new GD is filed on a new passport, therefore, verification of the same is carried out through Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), department.

Dr Waqar Ch Arain informed the participants that the FTO finally directed the FBR to incorporate additional checks in the WeBOC system with regard to new passports.

This addition in the system would enable the assessing officer to ensure that the import of vehicles is in compliance with the provisions of the IPO.