5-fold raise in penalty for late confirmation of VIRs: FBR ups advance notice requirement for vessels, cargoes to 72 hours

The Federal Board of Revenue has proposed requiring vessel information and cargo declarations 72 hours before a ship’s expected arrival, up from the current 24-hour notice for Vessel Intimation Reports and 18 hours for cargo declarations. Business Recorder reported that the changes are set out in draft amendments to the Customs Rules, 2001, notified through SRO.1913(I)/2026.

The proposal would also raise the fine for late VIR confirmation from Rs50,000 to Rs500,000 when the interval before arrival is under 72 hours, subject to exceptions for specified ports of loading. A vessel in that category could berth only 72 hours after its report is confirmed; no fine would apply when the interval is at least 72 hours. The amendments would lengthen advance reporting timelines and increase the cost of late filings if adopted.