No Import Clearance Issues, No Fuel Shortage: Customs

Pakistan Customs has rejected reports that it is delaying the clearance of imported petroleum products and that there are no pending fuel consignments for which Goods Declarations (GDs) have been filed.

Responding to media reports, Member Customs Operations) told ProPakistani that Pakistan State Oil’s (PSO) claim that importers were required to declare the final value of cargo at the time of filing a GD was based on a misunderstanding.

The member clarified that the final value of imported petroleum cargo is determined later and has never been a prerequisite for filing a GD or obtaining clearance.

Customs said PSO had been advised to submit GDs promptly to avoid unnecessary delays.

The department also said operations at Port Qasim are continuing normally. The vessel MT Bolan, which berthed at the FOTCO terminal on July 15, has already discharged part of its cargo and is expected to complete unloading early on July 17.

Meanwhile, PSO’s vessels MT Nave Cassiopeia and MT Hafnia Shannon are scheduled to arrive on July 17, while MT Portofino is expected on July 23.

According to Customs, fuel clearances and dispatches from Port Qasim are being processed regularly, with operational issues resolved on a priority basis. The department acknowledged that Flow Petroleum recently required a customs no-objection certificate (NOC) for upcountry deliveries through PAPCO, which was issued.

The member added that three consignments also require penalty waivers under the Customs Act and processing under the Pakistan Single Window’s updated system introduced after the Finance Act 2026.

Customs said issues related to bond-to-bond cargo transfers arose because some oil marketing companies transferred cargo without obtaining prior approval as required by law. Clearance facilitation is continuing in coordination with OGRA and the industry.

The member added that the matter was reviewed at the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) meeting on July 16, where no pending customs clearances for imported petroleum products were identified.