Chief Collector Customs Visits LCCILCCI Proposes Complaints Cell, Dispute Resolution Committee at Lahore Dry Port

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Chief Collector Customs (Appraisement) Naveed Elahi visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), where business leaders praised recent reforms in the customs appraisement system, especially the improved staff capacity and the successful rollout of faceless assessment, which has increased transparency and efficiency.

LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol said these steps have strengthened the business community’s trust and helped curb illegal valuation and bribery. He proposed that a Complaints Cell be set up at the Lahore Dry Port to allow importers to quickly raise issues with customs authorities. He also suggested forming a Dispute Resolution Committee, adding that LCCI is ready to participate to ensure fast and effective solutions.

The meeting was attended by Collector Appraisement Faisalabad Dr. Rizwan Basharat, Collector Customs Lahore Umar Shafique, former LCCI Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry, members of the LCCI Executive Committee, and others.

Chief Collector Customs Naveed Elahi informed the chamber that the number of examination staff at dry ports has been increased, ensuring that all inspection procedures are completed within one day. This, he said, has helped eliminate delays and reduce chances of corruption. He added that advanced scanners have been installed at ports, checkpoints, and borders to improve the accuracy of goods inspection.

He also shared that a strategy is being prepared to stop misuse of the Export Finance Scheme and SROs, and measures are being taken to protect goods from damage during checking.

President LCCI Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol noted that problems with the faceless assessment system have now been resolved, resulting in greater satisfaction among traders. He appreciated the efforts of the Chief Collector in making the system transparent and business-friendly.

He said the LCCI had earlier requested more examination staff in Lahore due to delays in clearance of goods. The approval of this request has now led to faster and more transparent processing.

The LCCI President also highlighted that in some cases, customs officials ignore genuine arguments of importers, causing long delays and heavy demurrage charges. He urged customs authorities to give immediate consideration to legitimate importer concerns.

He further pointed out that customs officers should assess goods based on net weight, as required by the Customs Act 1969, instead of including packing material. The current practice, he said, increases unnecessary financial burden on importers and must be corrected.