CHAPTER XII EXPORTS
The Government of Pakistan have by their Notification Nos.I(6)-ECS/48 and I(7)ECS/48 both dated the 1st July, 1948 issued in pursuance of Section 12 of the Act prohibited the export by post and otherwise than by post, of any goods either directly or indirectly to any place outside Pakistan, unless a declaration is furnished by the exporter to the Collector of Customs or to such other person as the State Bank may specify in this behalf that foreign exchange representing the full export value of the goods has been or will be disposed of in a manner and within a period specified by the State Bank. This chapter deals with the regulations governing exports from Pakistan. 2. Exports exempted from Exchange
Control Procedure. The prohibition mentioned above does not apply to exports to Afghanistan, exports to Iran by land route under special arrangement and to the export of: Bonafide trade samples of articles exported as such by an exporter registered under the Registration (Importers and Exporters) registered under the Registration (Importers and Exporters) Order 1993 or has been exempted from registration thereunder, provided FOB value of samples supplied free of charge does not exceed US $ 2,000/- or equivalent per firm per annum. Leather garments manufacturers are entitled to export 50 (fifty) samples in a calendar year irrespective of monetary ceiling, Above Paragraph is Updated via F.E. Circular 73 dated 7th November 1994. Above Paragraph is Updated via F.E. Circular 67, dated 2nd October 1994.
Customs authorities will not allow exports without declaration on the export forms except in the cases listed above. 3. Export Control Regulations. Exchange Control regulations regarding exports cover all goods exported from Pakistan irrespective of whether they are subject to licence under the Export Trade Control Regulations or not. Similarly, nothing in the Exchange Control Regulations relieves the exporters from the necessity of complying with the Export Trade Control Regulations as laid down by Government from time to time, including the necessity of obtaining an export licence wherever necessary. The Government of Pakistan has under the Export Trade Control Regulations banned exports to South Africa and Israel. Under the Registration (Importers and Exporters) Order, 1952, no person can export any goods from Pakistan unless he is duly registered as an exporter with the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports. Authorised Dealers should, therefore, ensure before certifying any export form 'E' as required in para 7 below that the person is so registered. The registration number should be quoted on the relative export forms. 5. Forms Prescribed for declaring
Exports. As required under the Federal Government Notification Nos.I(6)-ECS/48 and I(7)ECS/48 both dated the 1st July, 1948 the exporters are required to declare their exports to the Customs/Postal authorities in form 'E' (Appendix V-13) 6. Method and Period of Payment. (a) Full export value of goods exported from Pakistan and declared to the Custom authorities should be received in an approved manner as embodied in State Bank's Notifications No. F.E. 1/98-SB dated the 8th June, 1998 on the due date for payment or within four months from the date of shipment / dispatch whichever is earlier or within such period as may be prescribed by the State Bank through special or general permission, through an Authorised Dealer either in convertible foreign currency in which the Authorised Dealer maintains accounts or in U.S.D. Dollar or in Pakistan rupee from a non-resident bank account. However, where the terms of sale / irrevocable letter of credit provide for payment on 120 days usance / 180 days' usance in case of Hand Knotted Carpets from the date of shipment / posting, it shall be permissible for the exporter to repatriate the export proceeds within 135 / 195 days from the date of shipment / posting. Prior approval of the State Bank should be obtained before arranging for payment in any manner other than that indicated above. Above Paragraph Updated via F.E. Circular 49 dated 29th October, 1998. Above Paragraph Updated via F.E. Circular 20 dated 9th June, 1998. (b) As an exception to the above, payment for goods exported to countries other than those with which Pakistan has special Payment Arrangements e.g. Asian Clearing Union member countries etc., may also be accepted from any foreign currency accounts maintained with banks in Pakistan including an account maintained by the exporter himself. The transaction shall be reported first on Schedule E-4 under Code No. 1718 as payment to the account holder and simultaneously on Schedule A-1/A-2 on account of export proceeds. Above Paragraph Added via the Reprint as published by State Bank of Pakistan dated 30-June-1993. 7. Certification of Export Forms by
Authorised Dealers. (a) Before the export forms are lodged by the exporters with the Customs/Postal authorities all the copies thereof are required to be certified as under by the Authorised Dealers.
(b) Authorised Dealers shall not certify any export form unless they have satisfied themselves with regard to the following:
8. Export by Country Craft, Motor
Launch or Truck. Authorised Dealers can also advise letters of credit or confirm arrangements and certify export forms for exports by means of country-craft or motor-launch or truck subject to normal procedure followed in case of exports. 9 (a). Printing and Distribution
of Export Forms. (a) Head / Principal Offices of Authorised Dealers are required to maintain a complete record of all export forms printed by them and of their distribution to their branches and customers. For this purpose, they should maintain a Stock Register which should show branch-wise distribution of the export forms. It is the responsibility of the Head / Principal Offices to keep their branches adequately stocked with the export forms. 9 (b). Maintenance of Patry-Wise
Record of Certified Export Forms. (b) Authorised Dealers should maintain another register for recording therein the particulars of export forms issued and certified by them in respect of each exporter. In this register they should record against each form the date of submission of the export documents in cases where shipments have been made, or of the surrender of complete set of export forms in cases where goods have not at all been entered for shipment or complete shut-out notice in cases where the goods have been entered for shipment but have been shut-out. Against each export form, the Authorised Dealers should also indicate the date of realization of the export proceeds wherever the documents are negotiated or collected through them. In cases where none of the above documents are received by them within the period of 21 days from the date of certification on the relative export forms the Authorised Dealers should immediately get in touch with the exporter concerned to ascertain whether or not the shipment has been effected. If the Authorised Dealer is satisfied that the exporter has not yet been able to ship the goods against the certified export form, it should make a suitable notation against the entry in the register of the relevant certified export form and follow it up till the documents referred to above are submitted to it. All other cases where the exporters do not respond to the notices of the Authorised Dealers, should be reported to the State Bank with full particulars on priority basis. The advices should invariably bear a running serial number. 10. Making out and Delivery of
Shipping Documents. In exercise of the powers vested in it under Section 20(3) of the Act, all carriers whether common or private (railway, steamship, motor trucking or airline companies) and their agents have been directed by the State Bank as under:
11. Endorsement of Shipping
Documents by Authorised Dealers. The Authorised Dealers to whose order the relative railway receipts, bills of lading etc., are drawn shall endorse the same to the order of their foreign correspondent but in no case shall they make any blank endorsement thereon or endorse them to the order of the consignor unless they have obtained specific or general approval of the State Bank. However, in the case of exports through third country intermediary i.e. under merchanting arrangements, it will be in order for Authorised Dealers to make blank endorsement where advance payment has been received or where documents are negotiated under letters of credit which call for such blank endorsement. 12. Functional Utility of the
Copies of Form 'E'. All exports from Pakistan which are subject to Exchange Control Regulations are required to be declared on form 'E' which is in sets of four copies each. The exporter should submit the full set of Form 'E' to the Authorised Dealer for certification as described in para 7(a) above only after it has been completed and signed by the exporter himself or his authorised agent. While certifying Form 'E', Authorised Dealers should ensure that exporters give only one address in Form 'E'. After the form is certified by the Authorised Dealer, it should be submitted to the Customs / Postal authorities at the time of shipment alongwith the shipping bill. The Customs authorities will detach the original copy and after filling in the portion relating to them and affixing their seal and signature thereon forward it to the State Bank. The Customs authorities will return the duplicate, triplicate and quadruplicate copies to the exporter or his authorised agent who will retain the quadruplicate for his own record and submit the duplicate and triplicate copies to the Authorised Dealer alongwith the shipping documents within 14 days from the date of shipment. The Authorised Dealer will forward the triplicate copies of the export forms to the State Bank alongwith the monthly return in which realization of export proceeds is reported, retaining the duplicate for his record. In cases where receipts of export proceeds are reported by an Authorised Dealer in respect of exporters residing in the jurisdiction of an area office of Exchange Control other than that to which the returns are being submitted, separate area-wise schedules A-1/A-2 with one additional copy will be prepared and submitted to the Exchange Control. The name of the area office of Exchange Control to which the schedules pertain will be prominently indicated on top thereof. 13. Submission of Export Documents
to Authorised Dealers. All shipping documents covering goods exported from Pakistan and declared on Form 'E' must be passed through the medium of an Authorised Dealer within 14 days from the date of shipment. The exporter must submit the duplicate (bearing Customs seal and signature of Customs Officials with Code number) and triplicate copies of Form 'E' alongwith the shipping documents, invoices etc., to the Authorised Dealer who had certified the Form 'E'. An extra copy of the shipper's invoice must be attached to the triplicate copy of the Form 'E'. In the event of payment being received through an Authorised Dealer other than the one who had certified the export form, the Authorised Dealer negotiating or collecting the export documents should convey the particular of the export form to the bank who had originally certified the export form to enable the latter to make a suitable note in the relative register. On receipt of the bill of lading / airway bill / railway receipt etc., alongwith the Form 'E' and the export documents, the Authorised Dealers should compare the bills and/or documents with the relative export form and satisfy themselves that they conform in all respects to the declarations made on the relative export forms and the amount of the bills and invoices is not less than the value declared on them. All such cases where the Authorised Dealers consider that the value declared to the Customs and accepted by them does not represent the true value of the goods, should be promptly reported to the State Bank. The Authorised Dealers may, however, accept bills / documents for negotiation/collection if the difference between the value stated on the relative export form and the amount of the bill / invoice represents legitimate adjustments on account of short weight or actual freight and other items of similar nature. Details of such adjustments must be given on the relative export forms and must be authenticated by the Authorised Dealers under their stamp and signature. 15. Exports subject to receipt of
Advance Payments or Irrevocable Letters of Credit. In the case of commodities export of which is subject to receipt of advance payment or irrevocable letter of credit shipments will be allowed by the Customs only on the basis of the certificate of the Authorised Dealer on the export forms to the effect that either advance payment or irrevocable letter of credit has been received covering export of the goods mentioned on the export form. (i) Exporters of commodities which may be subjected to Export Price Check procedure from time to time are required to file with the State Bank particulars of contracts made by them with foreign buyers on prescribed form within the prescribed period together with the certified copies of original offers and acceptances or any other evidence in support of the contract. In cases where the State Bank is satisfied about the rate at which sales have been contracted and that exporters have fulfilled other prescribed requirements, it will approve the E.P.C. form and return the original to the exporter. (ii) Exporters are required to produce the approved copy of the E.P.C. form to the Customs for inspection alongwith the relative export forms at the time of shipment and again to the Authorised Dealers at the time of negotiation / collection of documents covering the relative shipment. Authorised Dealers at the time of negotiation / collection of documents covering export of such commodities will compare the invoices with the original copy of the E.P.C. form bearing the approval of the State Bank. Documents must not be accepted for negotiation / collection unless the Authorised Dealers are satisfied that the particulars of the invoices agree in all respects with the particulars declared on the E.P.C. form. When negotiating / collecting the documents, the quantity and the value for which the documents are negotiated / sent for collection should be endorsed on the reverse of the E.P.C. forms under the stamp and signature of the Authorised Dealer. Where the E.P.C. form has not been fully utilised but is still valid, it may, after necessary endorsement, be returned to the exporter. E.P.C. forms which have been fully utilised, should be forwarded by the Authorised Dealers to the State Bank alongwith the triplicate copies of the relative export forms. Expired E.P.C. forms should be forwarded by the Authorised Dealers to the State Bank alongwith the explanation of the exporters as to why the E.P.C. approval has not been utilised. 17. Special Requirements for
Export of Wool and other Commodities subject to Grading Scheme. Under the Wool Grading Scheme of the Government of Pakistan every exporter of wool is required to obtain a test report from the Government Test House for all shipments of wool intended for export whether on firm contract or on account basis. In all such cases the exporter of wool is required to forward to the State Bank through an Authorised Dealer a copy of the test report of the Wool Test House duly initialed by the Customs alongwith the invoice and triplicate copy of the relative export form. In the case of firm sales, the exporters should also mention in the invoice:
Sale of wool on consignment basis is required to be made only by public auction through recognised Auction Houses abroad. Account Sale from these recognised Auction Houses should be forwarded to the State Bank alongwith the relative triplicate copy of the export form. The procedure governing other commodities which may, in future be subjected to Grading Scheme will be notified to Authorised Dealers separately. 18. Reporting of Overdue Cases. (a) The State Bank has by a notification in the official Gazette, has prescribed the period within which full foreign exchange value of the exports must be realised. Non-realisation or delay in realization of the export proceeds without the prior permission of the State Bank constitutes an offence and renders the exporters liable to action under the Act. Above Paragraph 18 (a) is Updated via F.E. Circular 20, dated 9th June, 1998. (b) To enable the State Bank to review the position of all outstanding export bills, the Controlling/Head Offices of Authorised Dealers will furnish to the State Bank every month the following statements.
The above statements in Appendices V-15, V-16 and V-17 should reach the Exchange Control Department (Statistics Section) State Bank of Pakistan, Central Directorate, Karachi by the 15th of the month following that to which they relate. It will be the responsibility of the Authorised Dealers to see that the above statements are submitted to the State Bank on due date and that all cases of exports which become overdue are invariably incorporated in these statements and that there is no omission in this regard. Also see FE Circular No. 48 dated 22nd October, 1998. 19. Part Drawings and Advance
Remittances. (i) If it is customary in any particular trade for exporters to draw bills for only a percentage of the invoice value and to receive the balance after arrival of the goods at destination, Authorised Dealers may negotiate / collect bills in the part amount provided they obtain an undertaking from the exporters that they will realise the balance within the prescribed period. Authorised Dealers should report such part receipts on Form 'E' not attached Voucher" on schedule 'A-2'. It is the responsibility of the Authorised Dealers to follow up each such case and to ensure that the balance amount is also realised within the prescribed period. This exemption will not, however, apply in the case of shipments of those goods which are subject to either 100% advance remittance or to the opening of irrevocable letter of credit for the full amount of the export. (ii) When a part of the invoice value has been received in advance by the shippers, the Authorised Dealers when negotiating / collecting documents for the balance should certify on the triplicate copy of the export form that part of the amount had been received by them in advance quoting reference to the return in which the receipt was reported on an "Advance Payment Voucher" (Chapter XXII). (iii) In both the above cases the triplicate copy of the export form should be kept outstanding by the Authorised Dealer and submitted to the State Bank only after the full value of the export has been received. Where a portion of a consignment is short shipped and the exporter consequently draws a bill or prepares an invoice for a quantity less than that declared on the relative export form, he should give a notice of short shipment on the prescribed form in duplicate to the Customs. It will be the responsibility of the exporters concerned to produce to the Authorised Dealer a copy of the short shipment notice duly certified by the Customs alongwith the shipping documents. In such cases, Authorised Dealers should negotiate / collect the shipping documents on the basis of short shipment notice. The Authorised Dealer will forward the short shipment notice duly signed by the Customs to the State Bank of Pakistan alongwith triplicate copy of 'E' form while reporting the realization of full value of the goods shipped. If the exporter fails to produce the short shipment notice alongwith the export documents, the Authorised Dealer may negotiate / collect the documents but report full particulars of the case to the State Bank. The Authorised Dealer should, however, continue to follow up the case with the exporter for submission of short shipment notice. 21. Shipments Shut-out Entirely. (i) Where a shipment to be made by a particular vessel is entirely shut out and reshipped by another vessel, the exporter should apply on the prescribed form in duplicate to the Customs for permission to alter the name of the vessel on the relative export form and the shipping bill. (ii) Where a shipment is entirely shut out and is not being reshipped immediately by another vessel, the exporter should give a notice to the Customs in the prescribed form in duplicate. It will be the responsibility of the exporter concerned to produce to the Authorised Dealer who had certified the export form, a copy of the shut-out notice duly certified by the Customs within 21 days from the date of certification of the export form. On receipt of the shut-out notice, the Authorised Dealers should treat the relative export forms as cancelled and forward the shut-out notice to the State Bank. 22. Shipment lost or damaged in
Transit. (i) If shipments from Pakistan are lost in transit for which payment has not already been received, the Authorised Dealers must see that an insurance claim is made immediately the loss is known. The triplicate copy of the relative export form should be endorsed with the narration "Shipment Lost" under the stamp and signature of the Authorised Dealer and sent to the State Bank under a separate covering letter giving the following particulars and bearing running serial number:
(ii) The Authorised Dealer who had certified the export form should pursue the matter with the shipper and ensure that in each case the exporter has received the insurance claim and produces encashment certificate, in cases where claims are paid in foreign currencies and Rupee payment certificate where settlements are made in Rupees. These certificates should be forwarded by the Authorised Dealer to the State Bank giving reference of relative export forms. 23. Advance Remittances against
Exports.
At the time of shipment, the exporter will fill in the required particulars in all copies of the 'E' Form and submit the duplicate and triplicate copier to the Authorized Dealer alongwith the shipping documents and an invoice. The Authorized Dealer will compare the details of the 'Goods', 'Quantity' and 'Invoice Value' and process the case as indicated in sub-para (i). Above Paragraph Updated via F.E. Circular 33 dated 17th December, 1997. Above Paragraph Updated via F.E. Circular 37, dated 12th April, 1994. 24. Export on D.A. / T.R. Basis -
Non-payment by Foreign Buyers. In case of exports on firm contract on D.A. or T.R. basis, Authorised Dealers, before certifying the export form, should ensure that the foreign buyer is of sound financial standing and enjoys good repute. Doubtful cases should be referred to the State Bank for instructions. Despite aforesaid precaution, if a foreign buyer refuses to accept the goods, the exporter should either make immediate arrangements for shipping the goods back to Pakistan or alternate buyer found with the approval of the State Bank. However, prior approval of the State Bank will not be necessary in cases where the consignment initially refused is taken up finally by the original consignee or an alternate buyer found provided that payment for the consignment is not less than its full value minus actual demurrage charges, if any. In those cases where the foreign buyers default in making payment after taking delivery of the goods against their acceptance of the bill or T.R. Authorised Dealers shall consider the possibility of launching legal action against the foreign buyers for recovery of export proceeds in consultation with the State Bank. To this end, Authorised Dealers should make arrangements for obtaining a suitable undertaking from the exporters at the time of certification of the Form 'E' for firm sales on D.A. or T.R. basis so that there is no hitch in initiating legal action in those cases where the foreign buyers have defaulted. 25. Verification of Export
Proceeds Realisation Certificate. Sometimes exporters are required to produce to the Government Departments evidence of exports and the realisation of their proceeds. In such cases Proceeds Realisation Certificates may be issued by the Authorised Dealers in the prescribed form (Appendix V-21) after getting them authenticated by the State Bank. The State Bank will authenticate such certificates on the strength of certification made by the Authorised Dealers. The transaction would be post-facto verified by the State Bank with reference to the relative schedule/statement received from the concerned Authorised Dealer. To facilitate checking and verification of these transactions Authorised Dealers should quote the correct reference and the period of their schedule/statement in column 10 of the proforma at Appendix V-21. 26. Issue of Duplicate Export
Proceeds Realisation Certificate. In case of loss of original export realisation certificate the State Bank on application would issue duplicate thereof on the basis of undertaking given by the Authorised Dealer in the prescribed form (Appendix V-22). The word "Duplicate" will be prominently marked in indelible ink at the top of such certificates. 27. Payment of Freight in Rupees. (i) Carrier companies will not accept payment of freight in Rupees on cargo shipped on C&F or CIF basis unless the exporter produces to them a certificate from an Authorised Dealer in the form given below:
(ii) Before issuing the above certificate, Authorised Dealer will invariably endorse the relative 'E' form in the following manner:
The carrier companies will invariably submit to the State Bank with the freight manifests the aforesaid bank's certificates alongwith the relative bills of lading which should be arranged according to the entries appearing in the freight manifest. 28. Export of Jewelery, Precious
or Semi-precious Stones. Export of gold jewelry / precious and semi-precious stones will be allowed in accordance with the procedure notified by the Export Promotion Bureau and the instructions issued by the State Bank from time to time. 29. Remittance of Export
Commission and Brokerage. (i) Authorised Dealers are permitted to allow payment of commission / brokerage due to foreign importers / or agents by exporters in Pakistan at the following:
Cases not covered by the above instructions should be referred to State Bank with full facts and documentary evidence necessitating the payment of commission at a higher rate. (ii) Authorised Dealers can allow payment of commission etc., upto the above extent without the prior approval of the State Bank as under after satisfying themselves that the payment is in conformity with the relative agreement between the exporter and the buyer / agent abroad:
It should , however, be noted that in the case of exports under special trading agreements, commission is payable only through the special accounts opened for settlement of related transactions. (iii) In cases where the exporter is not required to pay commission or where he is required to pay to the foreign agent an amount less than the maximum 5% FOB value of goods realised can be retained in foreign currency account with Authorised Dealers in Pakistan. The funds held in such foreign currency accounts can be used by the exporters for promotional publicity, collection of commercial intelligence, purchase of designs/patterns, market studies, bonafied export claims and short fall in realization of export proceeds without any approval from the State Bank. The foreign currency accounts so opened will be fed exclusively with the amount of commission on exports and no other deposits whatsoever the nature, will be accepted for credit to such foreign currency accounts. The
facility given to exporters vide sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph 29, Chapter XII to
retain amounts in foreign currency accounts for the purpose mentioned their in, is
withdrawn vide F.E Circular 38, dated 21st July, 1998. |
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