AMJAD ALI SHAH

PESHAWAR: Beekeepers and exporters have voiced concern over increase in levy on honeybee boxes temporary exported to Afghanistan and demanded for immediate revise in the tax, otherwise, they said their business and export would be adversely affected.

The honeybee boxes have temporarily exported to Afghanistan from May to July due to unfavorable local weather conditions, said Naeem Qasimi, President Pakistan Beekeepers Association while talking to this scribe here on Tuesday. He added it is essential to return of honeybee boxes till September 15 because of beginning of their season. But, he said the customs authorities have started charging levy of Rs1,300/- per box against the previous USD 0.60 (PKR.75), which he called it irrational and unacceptable. He said the collection of tax on temporary exported honeybee boxes is unjust and unfair, demanding for its immediate revision.

The association president informed that around 100 beekeepers farmers have so far temporarily exported honeybee boxes because of eco-friendly environment and weather in Afghanistan. He emphasized that the movement of honeybee boxes is important from Afghanistan to Pakistan till September 20. Otherwise, he added the business and export of honeybee would be adversely affected, if the timely revision in tax was not made by the Customs department.

Qasimi who is also Chairman Honey Standing Committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry told this scribe that more than 500-700 containers of honeybees were exported to gulf countries, particularly in United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia annually, which has not only enhanced export but also generate hefty revenue to the national exchequer.

The Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry through a letter to the Customs authorities -a copy available with this scribe- reads as according to president of All Pakistan Bee Keepers Association that the Customs authorities have started charging revised tariff of Rs1300/- per box on temporary export to Afghanistan which is on very high side. According to Beekeepers Association, the letter said that previously these charges were to the extent of USD 0.60 (PKR.75) as obvious from the enclosed Goods declarations (GDs). In the letter, the SCCI urged the Customs to realize that the exporters are facing cut-throat competition with their competitors and as such it will be difficult for them to effectively compete in the market, if revised and enhanced tariff is applied.

The letter further read as according to Beekeeper Association, this temporary export to Afghanistan is mainly due to the weather conditions and they are constrained to bring back boxes latest by 19-September 2018. The chamber demanded the revised valuation on honey bee boxes for temporary export to Afghanistan. As such, the SCCI has requested to take lenient view of this issue and advise the concerned staff to apply the old unit value of USD 0.60 (PKR.75) on the exports with immediate effect to avoid huge financial losses which our members will face, otherwise if a favorable action is not taken timely, the letter said.