Summary
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Details on the tax and duty free importation of relief goods
The Government of Pakistan has waived customs duty and other taxes on goods imported for the relief operation for a period of three months. At present it is uncertain whether or not the waiver will be extended after the three month period has elapsed.
To qualify for such exemption, a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) must be issued for each consignment. The Federal Relief Commission (FRC) has delegated the issuing of NOCs for International Organisations, NGOs and individuals to the Earthquake Relief Cell (ERC) within the Cabinet Division.
The procedure for Humanitarian Agencies seeking NOC is as follows; all agencies must complete the application.
1. Copy of passport or national identity card.
2. TWO copies of waybill/invoice/packing list.
Completed application forms, plus attachments, should be taken to the NOC Cell in person for approval.
The ERC / NOC Cell has been established within the National Documentation Centre, Room 1001 (first floor) of the Cabinet Division, which is the left-hand (North) wing of the Presidential Building as seen when approaching along Jinnah Avenue. The vehicle entrance is on the North side of the complex.
The NOC Cell is office is open for business from 0830 to 1700 hours Monday to Saturday. Telephone (051) 920 1414, (051) 920 5164, Fax (051) 920 7635.
In the vast majority of cases, NOCs are issued 'while you wait', provided forms are correctly and fully completed and the requested supporting documentation accompanies the application. However, in a minority of cases delays have been experienced, as a result of which UNJLC has discussed ways of streamlining the system with both FRC and ERC.
Broadly speaking, there are three principal reasons why applications might need closer scrutiny and hence be subject to delay.
1. Goods not obviously directly intended for relief, eg items imported for the use of relief agencies rather than for relief itself. Such 'enabling' goods might include vehicles, radios, GPS's, IT equipment, cameras, construction tools etc. In cases of doubt, ERC will refer the application to another authority for specialist advice. FRC/ERC is unable to provide a comprehensive list, but offered the following examples:
a. Vehicles will be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b. Telecommunication equipment and GPS's will be referred to FRC.
c. Aircraft spares will be referred to 6 Sqn PAF.
d. Medical equipment will be referred to the Ministry of Health.
Applicants can help themselves by identifying items which might not
immediately be seen as relief goods, and including in their application an
explanation of how such items will be used within the relief operation. A
few minutes spent preparing such a statement to be attached to the
NOC application might save several hours or even days delay later.
Similarly, wherever possible, it would be helpful if those carrying a
potentially difficult application were capable of explaining how the items
to be imported would contribute to the relief operation, and be able to
answer questions.
2. Goods appearing to be for reconstruction rather than relief. The existing
waiver of tax and duty applies to items for the relief operation only, not
reconstruction. Items not clearly and obviously for relief purposes might
be considered to be for reconstruction, and therefore liable for import
duty and tax. Applicants can help themselves by clearly stating that the
goods are for relief purposes, if necessary attaching a detailed
justification to that effect.
3. Goods of Indian origin - even if coming via a third country. Notwithstanding political statements to the contrary, the importation of such goods will always be sensitive. Our best advice is to avoid sourcing materials in India if at all possible. When it is unavoidable, delays are to be expected. Again, applicants can help themselves by attaching a statement justifying why the material can only be sourced in India.
Agencies or NGOs experiencing undue delays or other problems obtaining NOCs may seek advice and assistance from UNJLC. Requests for assistance, together with copies of the relevant documentation, should be forwarded to:
Or to Kevin Molen
UNJLC
House 3. Street 2. F8/3
Islamabad