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FBR’s new RMS 2.0 system flags consignment; $85,000 worth of goods seized, legal action initiated.
BeNewz Report
Islamabad: Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (West) Karachi and the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Karachi have jointly foiled an attempt to clear banned Indian-origin textile machinery through misdeclaration at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT).
According to a statement issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the consignment was declared as “Chinese origin Textile Twisting Machine,” imported from Jebel Ali, Dubai, by a Karachi-based textile company under Goods Declaration (GD) No. KAPW-HC-62256 dated October 7, 2025.
However, the alert for potential misdeclaration of origin was generated by FBR’s upgraded Risk Management System (RMS 2.0), which is currently operational on a test run at Karachi Port. Acting on the alert, customs officials marked the consignment for physical examination.
Upon inspection, the goods were found to be of Indian origin instead of Chinese, as declared in the import documents. The consignment contained a new textile twisting machine with 576 spindles, including all standard accessories and essential components, imported in Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) condition.
Customs inspectors also discovered that the manufacturer’s identification plates and specification markings had been deliberately removed or scratched to conceal the true country of origin. The investigation confirmed that the equipment was manufactured in India — whose goods are banned from import into Pakistan under prevailing trade restrictions.
A case of misdeclaration of origin has been registered, and legal proceedings have been initiated against the importer. The seized machinery has been valued at USD 85,107, according to customs authorities.
The FBR stated that this detection highlights the vigilance and coordination of customs formations in preventing illegal trade activities and underscores the growing effectiveness of its newly upgraded RMS system.
“This interception demonstrates the alertness of Pakistan Customs in identifying and intercepting banned Indian-origin goods routed through transshipment ports,” the statement read. “It also reaffirms the efficiency of FBR’s technology-driven Risk Management System in combating misdeclaration and commercial fraud.”
Officials noted that the enhanced RMS 2.0 uses intelligent risk profiling, data analytics, and automated alerts to identify high-risk consignments, improving efficiency and transparency in cargo clearance.
FBR sources said that efforts are underway to deploy the upgraded RMS 2.0 system nationwide after the successful test phase at Karachi Port. The system aims to curb import fraud, enhance revenue collection, and ensure compliance with trade regulations.
Pakistan has maintained a ban on trade with India since 2019 following political tensions, allowing only limited exceptions for essential medical goods under special approvals. Customs authorities reiterated that any attempt to bypass the trade restrictions through false declarations, third-country routing, or tampering with origin markings will result in strict legal action.
The interception of the consignment is seen as a significant step in the government’s broader strategy to tighten border controls and improve trade compliance mechanisms through technology-based surveillance.
The FBR affirmed that Pakistan Customs remains fully committed to enforcing import restrictions and ensuring that banned goods — especially those of Indian origin — do not enter the country through fraudulent channels.
