Import ban: Which other items has the govt exempted?

• Govt exempts imports of raw materials, intermediatory goods, industrial equipment, etc.
• Decision taken after weighing in complaints of stakeholders.
• However, ban on import of dog and cat food for retail purposes remains in place.

ISLAMABAD: Owing to continuous criticism from the industry and citizens, the government allowed the imports of raw materials, intermediatory goods (products used to produce a final good or finished product), industrial equipment, and foreign grants in aid projects, The News reported Tuesday.

An Office Memorandum (OM), in view of concerns expressed by different organisations and the domestic industry regarding the import of raw material, intermediatory goods and industrial equipment falling under various Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) codes listed in the said SRO, was issued by the commerce ministry.

“It is hereby clarified that “the SRO (598) (1) 2022 dated May 19, 2022 shall not apply to raw material, intermediatory goods, and industrial equipment/machinery required by industrial/manufacturing concerns and foreign grant in aid projects.”

Earlier, the government had clarified that SRO 598, which pertains to the ban on the import of luxury items, does not apply to the inward shipments of energy savers and some preparation material used in animal feed. However, a ban on the import of dog and cat food for retail purposes remains in place.

In a clarification, the Ministry of Commerce had stated that the SRO 598(1)/2022 shall not apply to the import of goods for which an Airway Bill has been issued prior to the issuance of the said SRO, which was May 19.

According to it, the import of energy savers (PCT code: 9405.1090) has been exempted from the prohibition.

Ban imposed on luxury items

On May 19, the Ministry of Commerce banned the import of 38 items to control a bulging import bill and support the appreciation of the local currency.

The commerce ministry issued SRO 598 to amend the Import Policy Order. It specified 800 Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) headings of banned items in 33 categories.

According to the list, the ban was imposed on the import of mobile phones CBU, home appliances, cosmetics, crockery, pet food, private weapons and ammunition, shoes, chandeliers and lighting, headphones and loudspeakers and others.