PSW extends post-payment regime to SIDC

KARACHI: Pakistan Single Window (PSW), in collaboration with the Federal Board of Revenue and Pakistan Customs, has extended the post-payment regime to the Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess (SIDC) within the WeBOC/PSW ecosystem.

This follows the successful transition of Customs duties and taxes to a post-payment system in July 2025, marking a key milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to modernise trade and improve efficiency in the business environment.

According to the details, this initiative, supported by PSW, is part of the broader strategy of the FBR to simplify trade procedures and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses.

Previously, traders were required to pay SIDC upfront before the assessment, which often discouraged early filing of Goods Declarations (GDs) and created liquidity challenges. By enabling SIDC to be paid after the Customs clearance process, the new post-payment arrangement addresses these issues and supports the smooth flow of trade, reducing delays, and enhancing predictability for traders.

The extension of the post-payment regime to SIDC ensures that all major duties and taxes follow a unified post-assessment process, streamlining Customs clearance procedures and contributing to faster processing times, reducing the wait time for shipments and enhancing cargo dwell time performance.

With the removal of pre-clearance payment requirements, traders can now retain liquidity and focus on growing their businesses, while the overall efficiency of the trade process is significantly improved.

Aftab Haider, CEO of PSW, emphasised the importance of these reforms in advancing Pakistan’s trade infrastructure.

He said, “The extension of the post-payment regime to SIDC is in line with PSW’s vision to modernise Pakistan’s trade ecosystem and marks a major milestone in the ongoing reform process.”

“This initiative has replaced the need for upfront payments with a more efficient post-payment system, simplifying cash flow for businesses, accelerates clearance times, and contributes to smoother trade operations. In addition it reduces the dwell time of containers at the borders, enhances the efficiency of port operations, and strengthens Pakistan’s position in global commerce,” Aftab said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025