KARACHI (May 09 2003) : The Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) has raised charges of handling imports by about six percent with effect from May 2, 2003. However, the charges for handling of export containers are up only by two percent.
According to the clearing agents, the overall impact of increase in the rates, which were in practice since November 2001, will be Rs 136 for handling a 20-foot container and Rs 272 for a 40-foot container.
However, in a move to facilitate the trade, the QICT management has stopped charging receiving and Delivery (R and D) charges in dollars, which made the shippers to suffer from changing rate of dollars against the rupee.
The R and D charges in the previous rate schedule were 28 dollars for a 20-foot container and 37.5 dollars for a 40-foot box.
These charges have been merged with all the port dues, including wharfage, which will now be Rs 1,020 for a smaller box and Rs 2,040 for a bigger box.
The new rates for demurrage after the admissible 10 free days will be Rs 450 for a smaller box and Rs 900 for a bigger box per day against Rs 428 and Rs 856 charged earlier.
The container storage charges will be Rs 100 for a 20-foot container and Rs 200 for 40-foot container. Handling charges for vehicles will be Rs 416 for a 20-foot container.
For export cargo, new rate for wharfage for a 20-foot container will be Rs 2,300 against Rs 2,044 earlier and Rs 3,500 for a 40-foot container against Rs 3,415 earlier.
The QICT introduced the handling charges for the import of machinery and chemicals, which have increased in quantity.
The wharfage, along with R and D charges, will be Rs 3,000 for a 20-foot container and Rs 5,000 for a 40-foot container.
The wharfage for handing eatables such as rice, pulses, grains etc will be Rs 1,500 for a smaller box and Rs 3,000 for a bigger box.
Wharfage, including R and D for raw cotton, will be Rs 2,000 for a 20-foot container and Rs 3,500 for a 40-foot container.
Charges for handling of a 45-foot container will be up by 15 percent under all heads.
