At the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT), serious delays in container grounding — now taking five to six days instead of the standard 24 hours — have severely disrupted the customs clearance and delivery of more than 450 import containers. These include consignments of industrial raw materials, grains, fabrics, and other essential goods. The ongoing backlog is creating significant supply chain bottlenecks and driving up import-related expenses.
Chairman of the All Pakistan Customs Agents Association Arshad Khurshid said that repeated written reminders sent to KICT management have failed to produce any meaningful improvements. He identified terminal congestion and operational mismanagement as the root causes of the delays. “When a container has to wait five or six days just for customs examination, the entire clearance system begins to collapse,” he remarked.
As a result, importers are now saddled with millions of rupees in avoidable demurrage and detention charges. Khurshid further noted that delays persist even after customs clearance, with containers often held for an additional two to three days for restuffing and final delivery.
He also pointed to poor sequencing and handling after container grounding. In some cases, importers are forced to arrange double deliveries due to mishandling at the terminal.
Khurshid called on KICT management to complete container grounding within 24 hours, ensure delivery post-clearance, and streamline the processes of descaling, examination, and restuffing.
