FBR to Suspend Non-Compliant Terminal Operators

Islamabad, July 14, 2025, 07:38 PM PKT — The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a stern warning, announcing the suspension or cancellation of terminal operators’ registration at sea ports, off-dock terminals, dry ports, or land border stations if they fail to meet minimum standards for infrastructure, information technology, and documentation, per Customs General Order (CGO) 7 of 2025. This move strengthens monitoring and supervision, aligning with rule 548 of the Customs Rules, 2001, with off-dock operators also bound by rule 554A and July 2024 guidelines, applicable to Customs Computerized System (CCS)-registered entities.

Enforcement includes semi-annual inspections by the regulatory collectorate to assess compliance, with 15-day correction windows for deficiencies, followed by a compliance report. Non-compliance triggers registration suspension or cancellation under rule 553 of the Customs Rules, 2001 and Section 155F of the Customs Act, 1969, though reinstated upon compliance. Web context highlights customs enforcement trends, while posts found on X show concern—some support standards, others fear disruption. Critically, the narrative of “enhanced oversight” may mask implementation challenges—web data points to past compliance lags, and X sentiment suggests distrust in fair enforcement, hinting at potential resistance.