Article of Afeera Khurshid, Assistant Collector, Collectorate of Customs SAPT, Karachi on the occasion of International Customs Day 2026

Protection is mostly considered in dramatic terms encompassing interceptions, seizures and enforcement measures. At the ports of Pakistan- protection often arrives quietly; in a line item corrected, a valuation questioned, a legal provision applied despite pressure to expedite. As a young officer serving in Pakistan Customs, I have learned that vigilance is rarely loud, and commitment is rarely noticed—but both are deeply consequential. You understand the state most clearly not in policy documents or speeches, but at its points of contact with the citizen and the economy. For me, that understanding comes daily at the port—where a customs officer sits between a declaration and a decision, between private interest and public trust.

At a busy seaport, where I am currently posted, I have realized that thousands of decisions are made each day. Some decisions are routine matters, while others have implications far beyond the file or container in front of you. A misdeclared chemical, an undervalued fabric, a wrongly classified plastic resin—these are not merely revenue issues. They touch public health, industrial safety, environmental standards, and market fairness. Customs, as a matter of pride, is not just protecting the borders but also shaping and protecting society in ways that remain unseen or unheard. 

The modern customs administration is operational in a risky sophisticated environment. The contraventions are no longer always physical rather they are embedded in corporate relationships, invoices, transfer pricing structures and other regulatory loopholes. To detect them, the customs officer often requires vigilance of a different kind, encompassing analysis, patience and legal knowledge. However, sometimes it requires courage of an officer to pause, when the system demands speed and to question, where facilitation threatens to become complacency. A delayed decision has economic costs. A careless one has legal and fiscal consequences.

While Pakistan Customs is often described as the gatekeeper of trade, its responsibilities extend far beyond revenue collection. With billions of dollars in imports and exports annually, every consignment cleared without scrutiny carries potential risks: environmental hazards, counterfeit goods, unsafe products, or even national security threats. Initiatives like the Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) and Centralized Examination Unit (CEU) have increased efficiency and transparency. Yet true protection still relies on human judgment: physical inspections, laboratory testing, and document verification remain essential to intercept high-risk consignments such as lithium batteries, medical equipment, and e-cigarette components.

The faceless system has undoubtedly transformed procedural aspects. Revenue collection has increased, contraventions are being flagged more effectively, and the digital platform reduces discretionary influence. However, the human element of examination remains indispensable. Physical inspection, laboratory testing, and document verification are the ultimate safeguards against misdeclaration, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, hazardous chemicals, and unsafe consumer products. Data from recent operations shows that high-risk consignments — lithium batteries, medical equipment, e-cigarette components — are still intercepted predominantly through targeted examinations rather than automated systems. This underlines a paradox: while technology accelerates low-risk cargo, true protection of society still depends on rigorous human scrutiny.

Pakistan Customs’ mandate also encompasses environmental protection and public health — roles that are often underappreciated. From ensuring compliance with Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions to controlling ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol, Customs is at the frontline of enforcing international environmental standards. At the same time, inspections prevent hazardous consumer goods, unsafe toys, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals from entering the market. In this context, Customs acts not just as a regulatory authority but as a societal safeguard, a role whose importance becomes glaring when crises occur, such as public health scares or the smuggling of dangerous materials.

Critically, Pakistan Customs stands at a crossroads. Its modernization programs, while laudable, raise several questions that warrant reflection:

• Can technology-driven facilitation ever fully replace nuanced human examination, especially for high-risk or complex goods?
• Is the current balance between green-channel efficiency and post-clearance enforcement optimal for long-term compliance?
• Are centralized examination and assessment models inadvertently eroding sector-specific expertise that has historically underpinned effective enforcement?
• How can Customs expand its protective functions — environmental oversight, consumer safety, anti-smuggling, and national security — without slowing legitimate trade?

These are not questions with easy answers, but they highlight the deeper purpose of Customs: to be both facilitator and guardian, a duality that requires constant adjustment, evaluation, and critical thinking.

Pakistan Customs has made significant strides in modernizing its operations, leveraging technology, and introducing centralized examination frameworks. Yet, true protection of society remains contingent on vigilant, informed, and risk-aware examination, coupled with strategic enforcement. Efficiency gains from digitization cannot be celebrated in isolation; they must be weighed against the quality and impact of inspections, the integrity of risk assessments, and the ultimate goal of safeguarding public health, security, and the environment. Ultimately, Customs is not merely a trade agency — it is a societal institution, and its success should be measured not just in revenue or clearance times, but in the tangible safety and security of citizens.

SOURCE: Taxhelpline Team