Protest against duty halts fruit imports at Chaman

Importers have suspended import of fresh fruits from Afghanistan as a protest against an increase in regulatory duty by the Federal Board of Revenue from Rs20,000 to Rs95,000 per tonne. Hundreds of trucks loaded with fresh and dried fruits have been stranded at Customs House in the border town of Chaman, as the importers have refused to pay increased taxes and suspended import from Afghanistan. The customs authorities confirmed they had started implementation on the orders of the federal government regarding increasing regulatory duty on the import of fruits from Afghanistan. “Over 200 trucks which crossed into Chaman from Spin Buldak carrying fruits for the Pakistani importers have been parked in the Customs House, as the importers were not ready to pay taxes according to the new tariff,” the customs officials said.