Customs violations: FBR revises penalties from Oct 1

Business Recorder reported that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will overhaul fines for several customs offences from October 1. The changes target goods declarations filed late, imported cargo that leaves a customs station too slowly, and export goods not loaded within the allowed window.

Under SRO 136(I)/2026, issued on Thursday, the revised penalties replace the schedule set by SRO 1387(I)/2025 of July 31, 2025. For goods declarations not filed within 20 days of arrival, the fine is Rs25,000 per day for the next five days and Rs50,000 for each later day, capped at Rs1 million.

Where a goods declaration is lodged before the vessel berths, but the cargo is not taken out within five days of assessment and berthing, the charge starts at Rs5,000 a day and rises to Rs15,000 per day after that period, with a cap of Rs1 million. Where a declaration comes after berthing and goods stay beyond five days from clearance, the charge is Rs10,000 daily for five days and Rs20,000 thereafter, while export consignments not loaded within 15 days face Rs15,000 a day at first and Rs20,000 later, each capped at Rs1 million. According to the FBR, all these penalties remain subject to adjudication proceedings or voluntary deposit under the rules framed for Section 82 of the Customs Act, 1969.