PAJCCI appreciates the priority response of DG Transit Trade Pakistan Customs and the Ministry of Commerce on approving the amendment in Cross Stuffing SRO to allow the transfer of goods from one container to another container or any other mode of transportation, in the premises of the port or at the off-dock terminal. In addition, cross-stuffing of containerized cargo under Afghan transit trade will be allowed both inside seaport terminals where shipment arrived and at any approved off-dock terminals (ODT) at separately demarcated areas.

Previously cross stuffing was only allowed at off-dock terminals, which increased the cost of doing business and limited the options available for high-volume transit trade via Afghanistan. Both countries use each other’s facilities to conduct transit trade with CAR, and huge quantities of goods are transferred from one container to another. Cross-stuffing is important to reduce detention and demurrage charges incurred due to using shipping lines containers. Cross stuffing allows the use of local containers in either country or uses any other mode of transportation for goods movement.

After the recent meeting of Zubair Motiwala; Chairman PAJCCI, with Naveed Qamar; Minister of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, the long pending SRO on Cross-stuffing containers for Afghan transit trade covering both forward and reverse cargo was issued. PAJCCI further advocated the amendment keeping the business community’s needs and the transit trade’s momentum, which has been incorporated in the issued SRO.

Zubair Motiwala, Chairman of PAJCCI, thanked the Minister of Commerce and appreciated the government’s support in giving due importance to business community needs and removing barriers to enhance economic activity.

PAJCCI remains committed to raising the business community issues to the highest levels in both governments and providing technical assistance to governments for trade-friendly policy development.