ISLAMABAD: In a bid to reform the tax sector the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched its Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) System that would limit interaction between tax collectors and taxpayers.
The new system is a key component of the FBR Transformation Plan approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Central Appraising Unit (CAU) has been setup at the South Asia Pakistan Terminal in Karachi. The move is likely to bring a substantial change in the overall culture and working of the Customs Department and would also facilitate trade by reducing the clearance time ensuring efficiency and transparency in assessments.
After the successful completion of the first phase in Karachi, the FCA would then be launched at the other ports and border stations across the country.
Federal Board of Revenue is going to implement Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) System from 15th of December, 2024 at Karachi. FCA is one of the key components of the FBR Transformation Plan approved by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. 1/5
— FBR (@FBRSpokesperson) December 14, 2024
Meanwhile, an incentive-based performance management mechanism has been introduced to boost productivity and ensure accountability of the Customs appraising officers posted in the CAU.
Additionally, the eligibility criteria and licensing regime of Customs Clearing Agents have also been overhauled and a points-scoring system is being introduced to make them responsible for correct and quality declarations.
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Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement Karachi, Jamil Nasir, during a media briefing, said that the new system is part of the ongoing reforms in Customs, aimed at facilitating trade and minimising direct interaction between taxpayers and tax collectors.
Nasir emphasised that the introduction of the FCA marks a significant cultural and operational shift for the Customs Department. He explained that traders and businessmen would no longer need to visit public offices, allowing the Customs Department to better utilise its limited human resources. This initiative, he noted, would benefit both the Customs and the trading community, creating a win-win scenario.
He further stated that the system’s ability to generate data on the performance and productivity of appraising officers over time could play a key role in their promotion and career development. Describing this as the beginning of a new phase of Customs reforms, Nasir assured that several additional reform measures would follow soon.
