FBR imposes new penalties for customs delays

Dawn reported that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced graded penalties for importers and exporters who miss customs timelines, effective from Oct 1. The schedule was issued through customs notification SRO 1346 of 2026 and replaces the version issued last year. The rules cover late filing of goods declarations for home use and delayed removal of consignments from warehousing.

The notification came after a recent case in which a private firm was found to postpone submitting goods declarations in order to secure a temporary edge. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked the FBR to bring in measures that would stop similar conduct in future. Importers who do not lodge a home-use, warehousing or transhipment declaration within 20 days of arrival face Rs25,000 per day for five days, then Rs50,000 per day.

Goods declared before berthing but not removed from customs stations within five days of assessment and berthing will attract Rs15,000 per day for five days, then Rs20,000 per day. Declarations filed after berthing attract Rs10,000 per day once goods stay uncleared beyond five days, rising to Rs20,000 per day after another five days. Exporters face Rs5,000 per day for five days, then Rs15,000 per day, if cargo is not loaded within 15 days after entering the port. Officials said the aim is to streamline customs operations and discourage long storage at ports, with all penalties capped at Rs1 million.