The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has removed the proposed amendments to the Baggage Rules 2006 from its website following intense pressure from various quarters. While the draft notification has not yet been officially rescinded, sources added that the FBR is likely to withdraw it entirely.

Sources suggest that the FBR is unlikely to move forward with the proposed amendments and will likely rescind the notification.

Controversial Amendments
The proposed amendments defined “commercial quantity” as goods imported for trading or financial gain, with a value exceeding $1,200. Under the draft rules, international travelers and overseas Pakistanis bringing goods in commercial quantities would have been required to forfeit their items at customs unless they paid the applicable duties and taxes.

Additionally, the amendments sought to restrict passengers from bringing more than one mobile phone into the country, apart from one in personal use. Any additional phones would not have been allowed, even with the payment of duties, taxes, or fines.

The draft also mandated that goods brought in commercial quantities would not be released, even upon payment of duties, taxes, and redemption fines.

Public Backlash and FBR’s Response
The notification, which was published for public feedback, invited objections or suggestions to be submitted within seven days of its publication in the official Gazette. However, just a day after its release, the FBR removed the notification from its website due to widespread criticism and backlash.

Had the amendments been implemented, they would have significantly impacted overseas Pakistanis and international travelers, who would have faced stricter restrictions on bringing goods into the country. The rules also aimed to curb the import of goods in commercial quantities under the guise of personal baggage.