FAQ's.

PACCS is the first end-to-end automated solution for Customs in the world. The experience of PACCS in Customs will set the pace for automation in other government departments leading to true e-government and rapid development in Pakistan.

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2. What are the major components of PACCS?

PACCS has four major components:
a. TARIP (Tariff and Integrated Policy)
b. INTRA (Integrated Regulatory Authorities)
c. ECHO (Enhanced Cargo Handling)
d. ACCESS (Automated Customs Clearance System)

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3. What PACCS must knows?

By May 2006 all clearances of cargo that is imported or to be exported through sea ports of KICT, QICT and PICT would be through PACCS. Your cargo could be held up at the port unless you have prepared yourself for the following.

In case your cargo is arriving at KICT on or after May 01, 2005 please ensure:

1. That copy of the packing list and invoice of the cargo is available inside the containers.

2. That each export container is accompanied with a consignment note

3. That you have a PACCS User ID

4. That you have your new NTN

5. Those requirements of other government departments are complete

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4. Why are documents required within the container?

PACCS is an electronic environment in which no documents are required to be filed to Customs with the declaration. This is in order to:

1. Ensure that the trade is not forced to travel to Customs house in order to file each declaration.

2. Ensure that the tax payer is not forced to come in contact with the tax collector which has numerous undesirable consequences.

3. To ensure that the trade has the convenience to file their declarations from the comfort of their offices anywhere in the country on 24X7 basis.

4. To ensure that documents are readily available in risky cases and precious time is not wasted in waiting for the documents.

5. To ensure that the documents available to Customs for decision making in risky cases actually originated in the country of supply.

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5. Does Customs open all containers to retrieve documents?

No. PACCS places its trust in you. We do not examine consignments unless the cargo is suspected to present a threat to the country or its exchequer. It is only in case of risky cargo that containers are opened, documents retrieved, and cargo examined.

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6. What happens to the documents that are retrieved from the container?

Documents are retained by Customs for record.

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7. How does each container accompanied?

Export containers will not be accepted by the terminal operator at the time of pass-in unless the following documents are presented at the in gate (legislation):

a. Packing list
b. Invoice
c. Consignment note

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8. Will the documents be passed on to recipients?

No. These documents are for use within Pakistan and will not be forwarded to the recipients.

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9. Why is there a requirement for sealing of export containers before pass-in?

PACCS operations are based on risk management. Cargo handling status is communicated to the terminal operator as soon as the cargo passes into the port area. All containers that are not risky are allowed loading and taken to the vessel without interference by Customs. Risky cargo is brought to examination areas, unless serious problems are found the containers are allowed loading and taken to the vessel under post examination seals.

All containers are required to be in sealed state the moment they enter the port area, this is to protect the shippers against unauthorized access to cargo while within the port area or abroad vessels. (legislation)

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10. How can obtained a unique User ID?

You will not be able to clear your cargo (imports or exports) through KICT unless you have acquired your unique user ID's. The only persons exempt from obtaining user ID's are.

1. Importers or exporters of personal baggage

2. Owners of cargo that is just passing though KICT, i.e. in transit to or from inland Customs ports, Afghanistan, Export Processing Zone or to off dock terminals or destuffing areas outside KICT.

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11. All my cargo is cleared by clearing agents. Do I still need a unique user ID?

Yes. PACCS does not allow any other person to file a declaration for your cargo without your authorization. Since PACCS is paperless all authorizations are online. If you do not have a user ID you will not be able to file a goods declaration yourself or authorize an agent to file it for you.

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12. Do I have to authorize a clearing agent each time my cargo arrives?

No. You may authorize one or more clearing agents to file declarations on your behalf. Once authorized PACCS shall continue to recognize the specified agent as your authorized representative. As long as you do not delete an agent from your authorized agents list, PACCS shall continue to recognize him as your authorized agent.

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13. Do I have my new NTN?

PACCS recognizes an importer or exporter by his new National Tax Number (NTN). In case you do not have an NTN you will not be able to acquire a unique user ID.

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14. I am exempt from income tax do I still need an NTN?

Since PACCS is unable to recognize persons (natural or legal) only by their names as such it is necessary for you to have a unique identification number by which you can be identified, this unique number is your new NTN. In case you are exempt from income tax for reasons of being an international organization, a diplomatic entity, a charitable trust, a government department, etc. Please acquire a FTN (Free Tax Number).

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15. What is FTN?

FTN is number that does not impose any income tax liability on you and is given by CBR only for purposes of identification in an automated environment.

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16. How do I get an FTN?

Central Board of Revenue has already identified all persons that have imported anything in Pakistan during the last 24 months without NTN. FTN numbers have already been sent to those persons that are exempt under the income tax laws on their last known addresses. In case you have not received a FTN number please contact CBR Contact Person 1: Mr. Istataat Ali - Chief USAIP (Universal Self Assessment Plan), CBR TEL: 051-929204 Contact Person 2: Ms. Ruqayya Khan - Project Director, NTN. Address: CDA Block 2, Islamabad TEL: 051-9208654

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17. The name on my NTN is different from the name of my business, by what name would PACCS identify me?

PACCS will identify you by the name as given on your NTN.

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18. My NTN is as a natural person but I trade by another name will PACCS recognize my cargo by my trade name in the manifest information?

No. PACCS can only recognize you by the name as given in your new NTN. Since PACCS does not allow any person to file a Customs Goods Declaration for cargo that belongs to someone else and since the manifest information only has the field "name of importer" as such if the name in the manifest is different from your name in the NTN PACCS shall not be able to recognize you as the owner of the cargo. In order to avoid inconvenience please ask your supplier to mention your correct name as it appears in your new NTN, in the Bill of Lading.

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19. Why can't my trading name be different from my NTN name?

Such cases arise when natural persons are trying to appear as legal persons. Such natural persons tend to choose names that closely resemble the names of existing legal persons this is especially true in case of abbreviations. Since determination of ownership of cargo becomes very complex with greater likelihood that cargo of genuine businesses may be mistaken for dubious ones and unnecessarily stopped with greater frequency, PACCS recognizes all persons by the name as it appears in their new NTN. If you wish PACCS to recognize you by a particular name please obtain an NTN under that name.

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20. What requirements of other government departments should be completed?

Certain articles have import restrictions and cannot be cleared by Customs without due certification from other government departments. Although under PACCS you are not required to submit such certifications for verification to Customs you would be asked for the relevant certificate number from the concerned government authority at the time of filing of declaration. We cannot accept your declaration for clearance of cargo unless legal formalities for import are complete.

We recommend that you consult TARIP to be sure of all the legal requirements that are necessary for clearance of import cargo in Pakistan.

For further details and updates please visit http://www.paccs.gov.pk/

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