Pakistan Customs has ordered all Ground Handling Agents (GHA) to implement fully operational online payment systems within three months at Air Freight Units across Karachi.
The directive followed a meeting chaired by Hasan Saqib Sheikh, Chief Collector of Customs Airports, convened after All Pakistan Customs Agents Association announced a formal protest against GHA.
Gerry’s Dnata and other GHAs had failed to introduce digital payment options despite receiving repeated directions from customs authorities over several preceding years.
Arshad Khurshid, Chairman of the All Pakistan Customs Agents Association, told participants that the absence of digital payments was generating excessive storage charges and operational losses.
Interim cash payment measure
As an immediate interim measure, all GHAs were directed to accept cash payments of up to Rs 300,000 per consignment, effective 16 May 2026.
The cash payment threshold was introduced to ease pressure on importers while the formal online payment infrastructure is built and tested by GHAs.
Trade representatives stated that existing payment delays were directly translating into measurable financial losses for customs agents and the wider business community.
Storage charges and free-days policy
Participants raised concerns over excessive storage charges and the current three-day free-storage policy, which trade groups argued was operationally insufficient for cargo clearance.
A proposal to extend the free-storage period from three to five working days was received positively, with GHAs directed to submit a unified proposal within 1 month.
GHAs were instructed to develop the proposal in formal consultation with Pakistan Airports Authority and relevant trade stakeholders before the deadline.
Digital integration and banking improvements
GHAs were also directed to complete Electronic Data Interchange and gate-out integration with Customs, WeBOC, Pakistan Single Window, and PAA within one month.
The meeting additionally addressed non-availability of advance Import General Manifests, incorrect flight data feeding, and unnecessary documentation demands made at cargo delivery points.
National Bank of Pakistan was instructed to extend banking hours at the AFU booth to 6:30 pm within 30 days and to fast-track installation of an ATM facility.
Regulatory framework under review
Chief Collector Hasan Saqib Sheikh informed participants that amendments to Customs Rules 2001 are currently under consideration to improve GHA operations and legal clarity.
The proposed changes could introduce formal licensing of GHAs for a defined period, subject to renewal based on performance, compliance records, and operational efficiency standards.
Rationalisation of financial guarantees to better protect government revenue is also included within the broader package of regulatory reforms being reviewed at the policy level.
Stakeholder response
Arshad Khurshid praised the Chief Collector’s intervention, saying the proactive engagement had instilled confidence that long-standing unresolved issues would now be addressed in a structured manner.
He urged all GHAs to honour their commitments within agreed timelines and expressed hope that decisions from the meeting would be implemented fully and in good faith.
The session concluded with the chair directing all parties to cooperate fully and adhere strictly to all agreed timelines, compliance requirements, and facilitative measures going forward.
