Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
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By Railway, the same sets of documents are used (apart of Temporary Admission Document
(TAD) for trucks). Pakistan has recently acceded to Convention concerning International Carriage by
Rail (COTIF), and its implementation is in progress.
4.3.2.6 Single Window
The Government of Pakistan (GoP) is following a UNESCAP phase-wise project management
approach to implement a national and envisaged regional Single Window environment. The
approach has five levels progressing from 1) paperless customs, 2) port community information
exchange; 3) other government agencies implement paperless permits and certificates, 4) the
National SingleWindow and finally 5) Regional SingleWindow. Pakistan Customs claims to have
completed the first two levels, but customs operations are still not 100% paperless. Primary
discussions with the Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC) department suggest that the
government may consider rebuilding a system robust enough to support the smooth
implementation of both National and Regional Single Windows. Automation of Customs
clearance through Pakistan Customs Computerized System (PaCCS) and WeBOC is already in
place. At present, WeBOC covers customs controls for 60%of Pakistan’s total trade, with a target
of 90%coverage set for year-end 2014. The system currently incorporates 76% of imports, 96%
of exports and 80% of all air freight in Pakistan. Other fields of control rely on the former One
Customs control system. WeBOC is currently being rolled out across Pakistan and efforts to
transfer all customs data into a country-wide data warehouse are also underway. It is hoped that
data migration, aimed for completion in 2015, will provide a solid base for the smooth
establishment of a National Single Window.
A pilot project for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) connectivity with Afghanistan has begun,
as stipulated in the APTTA 2010. Test messages were initially exchanged between the two
government bodies during 2013, and the system has continued to evolve since then. The GoP
is also considering a cross country exchange of information as part of the Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) with China.
4.3.2.7 Cost of Transit operation and the guarantee for transit
No charges are being levied by Pakistan Customs on transit goods to Afghanistan. Pakistan-Iran
border: Trucks/Trailers cross the border with valid carnet-de-passage, and it costs about the 100 USD
Dollars.
4.3.2.8 Safety and security issue related to CTR
Safety and security issue is a major concern in Pakistan, particularly at the area of its borders
with Afghanistan. Pakistan is taking a good initiative to improve the transit trade with
Afghanistan further. The Pakistani transporters carry all goods destined to Qandahar/Kabul.