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  • Mar 26th, 2017
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Shipping companies have started collecting 'Port Congestion Charge' (PCC) from importers, despite the fact that no such issue exists at the terminals currently; it is learnt here Saturday. Although, the terminals have denied having port congestion at the moment, shipping companies have started collecting 'PCC' from importers with impunity, market sources said.

Meanwhile, Karachi International Containers Terminal (KICT) in a letter to All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) stated that all terminals in Pakistan were facing temporary congestion due to natural growth in trade volume during 2015 and 2016. However, KICT has taken some bold measures in 2017 to eliminate the issue from the terminal. Resultantly, vessels at KICT are now being dispatched timely and its turnaround time has also improved significantly. In addition, the letter stated that no backlog of examination and other yard services is also an indicator that KICT is operating smoothly.

Nevertheless, shipping lines have started collecting US$ 150 per 20ft container and US$ 300 per 40ft container from the consignee at destination before delivery order release, market sources said.

They said that no authority bothered to regulate the shipping lines and squeeze their neck for its unjustified charges that encouraged them imposing such charges on the trade. When contacted, Senior Vice Chairman APCAA Arshad Jamal said that PCC was imposed with plea that the dual time of clearance at KICT was insufficient and terminal faced congestion due to containers backlog that causing delaying vessels. He said termed the said charges as unjustified, saying that it was creating excessive financial burden on the trade; adding that both shipping companies and terminals were charging terminal handling charges along with other unnecessary charges under self-created heads.

Meanwhile, President Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA), Khurram Ijaz strongly urged the authority concerned to take remedial measures and withdraw the same. He informed that Additional Collector MCC-Preventive Nadeem Memon during meeting directed the shipping agents to discuss the issue with the respective shipping lines in order to withdraw the charges on immediate basis as there was presently no congestion at terminals.

He further said that Additional Collector MCC-(Preventive) agreed with the contention of KCAA and stated that if there would be any delay in discharging of containers from the vessel by the terminal operator then the burden should not be passed to the trade and terminal operators will be penalized accordingly.



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