The Biz Update One of Pakistan's Most Reliable Business News Website
Related Articles
Karachi: Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) is facing serious delays as more than 38,000 containers are still pending delivery. Customs authorities have issued a warning and may take legal action under the Customs Act, 1969.
The Collectorate of Customs Appraisement West sent a notice to KICT CEO Naveed Qureshi, saying that delays in grounding containers, limited space, and weak operations are affecting port clearance and trade activities. In January 2026 alone, over 10,000 containers were added to the backlog.
Officials said cargo volume increased by 13.54% during July–December 2025, while containers selected for customs inspection rose by 31.25%. However, the terminal did not increase storage space, equipment, or staff accordingly.
Containers selected for inspection are facing delays of 8 to 10 days. The inspection area can handle around 200 containers, but daily demand has reached about 300 containers, causing congestion. Customs also pointed out that the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) system is not being properly followed.
Traders say the delays are causing financial losses due to demurrage and container rental charges. The All Pakistan Customs Agents Association has demanded that containers be grounded within 24 hours and that charges be waived for delays beyond three days.
Customs officials also admitted that staff shortages are adding to the problem. Experts say better coordination, more staff, and improved systems are needed to resolve the issue quickly.
