NBR issues new guidelines for faster clearance if HS codes of goods don’t match

Staff Reporter | PNN:

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued new guidelines for bonded warehouse license holders to ensure faster clearance of imported goods even if there are discrepancies in HS codes or product descriptions, preventing shipment delays.

The details were published in an official notice on Tuesday (September 9). The NBR explained that HS codes or product descriptions declared in the bond license, entitlement sheet, or import declaration often do not exactly match the codes or descriptions determined by customs authorities. This mismatch can slow down the duty assessment process and delay shipment, affecting business operations and the country’s export performance.

According to the new guidelines, if the first four digits of the declared HS code match the code assigned by customs, the company can provide a declaration to quickly clear the goods. However, if the codes are entirely different, the assigned code must be linked to the bond license, and the goods should be cleared within a maximum of two working days using the Customs Bond Management System (CBMS).

The NBR expects that the new guidelines will reduce issues such as goods being stuck at ports, prolonged clearance times, and additional costs for exporters. Additionally, this will make the country’s export process faster and more cost-efficient, positively impacting foreign currency earnings.

The guidelines instruct customs authorities to take appropriate measures and also require bonded license holders to complete the clearance process promptly.