Pakistan Customs, in collaboration with the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), has marked a historic achievement by clearing the inaugural shipment under the Multimodal International Road Transport (TIR) Convention. This move positions Pakistan as a potential key player in the regional transit hub. The operational success of the uni-modal TIR system under Pakistan Customs paved the way for NLC, working with the Directorate General Transit Trade Customs, to initiate the Multi-modal TIR transportation service for foreign traders, terminal operators at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT), and the web-based computerised clearance system (WeBOC) team.

Sources reveal that Pakistan Customs, in timely coordination with the International Road Union (IRU) Geneva, prepared electronic pre-declarations through its WeBOC system in consultation with NLC and the Pakistan National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (PNC-ICC). The formal opening ceremony at Qasim International Container Terminal witnessed the arrival of the first-ever multi-modal TIR consignment by sea from Nasha, China, destined for Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

During the event, Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi, Member Customs Operations, highlighted that the TIR Convention would significantly boost regional exports and international transit trade for Pakistan. He emphasised that Pakistan Customs would now implement global procedures to enhance facilitation for regional and international trade.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2024.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.