FBCCI, the country's apex trade txMiy. has submitted a 21-point charter ol recommendations, including an anti-dumping provision, to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to make Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) effective, reports UNB.

'The PSI act should have a provision for taking quick anti-dumping measures to prevent dumping incidents that can happen due to introduction of the PSI system," the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry recommendation said.

It said the authorities concerned should be conscious about delay and harassment in clearing industrial raw materials and machinery due to shortage of internationally-recognised PSI companies.

The authorities should also be watchful about any loophole

or dishonesty. FBCCI said.

The charter proposed for keeping the small-scale import consignments of all items, through border stations dp to US dollar 10 thousand out of the purview of PSI. "It wilLpro-tect the interest of the small importers and reduce smuggling.’’

It sought assurance through gazette notification so that the customs and preventive team _ cannot harass while assessing duties.

Customs authorities harass Importers in different ways while assessing duties on imported goods as the value of the same kind of goods imported under PSI system from different countries vary.

The FBCCI urged NBR to keep a provision in the PSI act for compulsory punishment and fine, including cancellation of

PSI licence, if there is any corruption proved against an appointed PSI company.

It proposed not to impose fine or penalty on the importers for .01 per cent extra volume of imports over declared volume.

Normal duty should be charged on extra volume of goods as the exporters pack a particular consignment with the extra volume in accordance with international rules, the FBCCI said.

It further recommended that if a farm imporfs refrigerator, air conditioner and compressor. copper tube, refrigeration gas and spares thereof from suppliers instead of manufacturers, it must submit price list, invoice and other import documents authenticated by the manufacturers or authorities concerned.

The FBCCI said the respon-

sibility of any inconsistency with imported goods and price to be found by the customs authorities after PSI certification should be on the PSI company and the exporting organisation.

It recommended that perishable goods like orange, ginger, onion and mango should be kept out of the purview of PSI. Valuation of imported secondhand cars should be based on the yellow book.

It urged the NBR to include representation of the FBCCI in the appellate tribunal and said that a monitoring committee could be formed with representatives from the FBCCI and concerned government agencies to Implement the PSI system.

Cautionary measures should be taken so that importers do not face unwanted delays and harassment due to implementation of the PSI system, it said.