Pakistan Customs has notified SRO 1347(I)/2026, adding a new chapter to the Customs Rules, 2001 titled the Overstayed Cargo Management Rules, 2026. From 1 October 2026, penalties for cargo left at seaports beyond the permitted period will be calculated by the Customs Computerised System instead of an officer. For importers at Karachi and Port Qasim, a slow Goods Declaration now carries an automatic, immediate cost.
What SRO 1347(I)/2026 Changes
Section 82(1) of the Customs Act, 1969 already penalises overstayed goods. What changes is the process. The system now calculates the penalty when the Goods Declaration is filed, or within 24 hours of the GD release message, and notifies the owner or clearing agent electronically.
You then have two options: accept the amount and pay through the WeBOC payment module, or contest it. A contested case goes to the Collector, who must decide within five working days, extendable by five more with recorded reasons. An aggrieved party may appeal electronically to the Chief Collector within 15 days, and that appeal must be decided in five working days.
Who Is Covered and Who Is Not
The rules apply to seaports only. Land customs stations and airports are excluded. Also outside scope: goods under Chapter 99 of the First Schedule, transit and international transshipment cargo, personal baggage, LCL export cargo and bulk cargo.
If you import containerised cargo through KICT, SAPT or QICT, you are squarely inside the new regime.
A Practical Example
An importer's 40ft container of textile machinery discharges at Karachi on 5 October 2026. A corrected commercial invoice arrives late and the GD is only filed on 22 October. Previously the overstay penalty surfaced during manual assessment, often days later. From 1 October the system flags it the moment the GD is filed and blocks progress until the amount is paid or contested, on top of demurrage and detention already running at the terminal. A documentation delay that was once absorbed quietly now stops the file cold.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting for original documents by courier before filing the GD.
- Leaving HS code or valuation queries unresolved until after arrival.
- Assuming the clearing agent will absorb or contest the penalty on your behalf.
- Missing the 15-day electronic appeal window because notices go to an unmonitored WeBOC inbox.
Expert Tips
- Get scanned invoice, packing list and B/L from the supplier before the vessel sails.
- File the GD as early as the system permits rather than at the deadline.
- Assign one person to check WeBOC notifications daily from 1 October.
- Build overstay risk into your landed-cost calculation, not just freight and duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Overstayed Cargo Management Rules take effect?
1 October 2026, under SRO 1347(I)/2026.
Does this apply to air freight?
No. Airports and land customs stations are excluded; the rules cover seaport cargo.
Who calculates the penalty?
The Customs Computerised System, automatically at GD filing or within 24 hours of the GD release message.
Can I dispute an automated penalty?
Yes. The Collector must decide a contested case within five working days, extendable by five more.
Is LCL export cargo covered?
No. LCL export cargo, bulk cargo, transit and transshipment goods and personal baggage are excluded.
What Shippers Should Do Now
Automation removes discretion from overstay penalties, which means preparation is now your only defence. Pioneer Express handles customs clearance, air and sea freight and warehousing across Pakistan's major ports. Request a quote and we will review your clearance timeline before 1 October.
Source: Pkrevenue.com