The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced that more than 1,500 exporters are availing duty and tax-free import benefits under the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS).
This scheme, which simplifies procedures through single administrative documents, focuses on supporting exporters, especially SMEs.
According to the FBR, manufacturers and exporters using the EFS are now required to pay sales tax on input goods purchased domestically for use in finished products. Under SRO.1042(I)/2024, authorized users can import input goods without customs duty, federal excise duty, sales tax, or withholding tax. However, locally sourced inputs must include sales tax payments, while imported goods remain tax-exempt upon submission of the relevant goods declaration.
The revised EFS rules also widened the scope of the scheme, allowing manufacturers and exporters to import specific textile inputs under allocated quotas. In addition, the FBR has implemented measures to address the oil shortage by introducing a scheme for import, sale and re-export of petroleum products under customs facilities.
To simplify customs operations and reduce congestion at dry ports, FBR has announced new facilities, including Dry Port Jia Bagga, M/s Sky Media (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi, and M/s Seaboard Logistics (SMC-PVT) Ltd, Karachi as customs ports. .
It also expanded the area of existing customs terminals and announced the operation of the Messrs Qasim Off-Dock Cargo Terminal in Karachi.
These initiatives aim to enhance export efficiency, address logistical challenges, and enhance support for the country’s export-oriented industries.