The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a revised procedure for granting and renewing customs agent licences, focusing on a competitive selection process and more stringent compliance standards. These changes were made through the Amendment to Customs Rules 2001, which was notified via SRO.2071 on Friday.
Under the new procedure, the FBR will invite applications annually on November 1 through advertisements in reputable newspapers. Applications will be assessed in line with specific terms and conditions, with eligibility determined by a qualification examination conducted by an accredited institution.
The qualification test will evaluate applicants regarding customs laws, regulations, rules and associated procedures, computer proficiency and knowledge of the computerized customs system, as described in the Appendix to the Rules. For existing provisional license holders, participation in the first test under these amended rules is mandatory. Failure to appear will result in the cancellation of their temporary licenses.
Candidates are allowed two attempts to pass the qualifying examination. If unsuccessful on both occasions, the provisional license will be blocked, with a final third chance provided. Applicants must score at least 50% on the test to be considered for licensure.
In addition, licenses can be blocked, revoked or revoked if holders fail to submit any declaration of goods within the past year, fail to appear before the licensing authority for identification, or accumulate zero aggregate points in the customs computerized system.
The new rules aim to enhance the professionalism and efficiency of customs employees by ensuring that only qualified individuals are licensed to work.