Dealing with Customs

[affanhaq94]

Hello everyone.

So I'm having some 'trouble' so to speak in dealing with customs.

We moved from Canada to Pak last year and brought along my father's motorcycle in our container of all our household stuff with us.

However, the motorcycle is over 5 yrs old so was seized by customs. Since it was our first time bringing things over, we did not know the rules, and no one advised us or we would not have brought it. We talked to Pakistani high commission in Toronto who said we would have no issue bringing it over here.

It's sitting at the port since last year and apparently the only way it can be released is through public auction.

Is this true?

Is there ANY other way it can be released to us? We've made many trips from Lahore to Karachi for this matter as the agent we hired isnt that great.

Also, since it's public auction, I see that bidders usually jack up the prices of stuff on purpose so it's kind of making me nervous that someone else will grab the bike out from under me if it goes for a really high price. And it's kind weird that we are buying our own bike back lol.

If anyone can provide any insight, or knows anyone I can speak with to help in this matter, I would greatly appreciate this!

[xenerking]

im not sure but expatriates were allowed to bring one articles of personal use item which was already in use abroad, when they plan to move back to homeland, (ulta teer hi chala dia apne wapis aker).

you didnt mention any other vehicle or car which was being brought back here so customs should allow you to take that bike home.

you need to take that matter asap

https://pakistanembassy.se/vehicle-gift-undertaking/

[affanhaq94]

Sorry I didn't mention it but there is another motorcycle as well (my own), but it's process is being completed as it was less than 5 yrs old. It's processing is being done, albeit very slowly.

This one was the one we are a bit more concerned of. Since it's older than 5 yrs, they have already confiscated it. So I believe then I am out of luck with auction being the only way out.

Thanks for your reply!

[xenerking]

rules r rules, always try to get them before they become applicable to you

i hope the confiscated bike didnt have any salvage value back there in canada, so watever u get here is Pakistan in a bonus for you, otherwise u will be at loss.

BUT the emotional value attached to it cannot be estimated, in that case there are no complaints.

[zeeshan-hdr]

Rules are just for fools. This is pakistan give them money means bribe. Stop wasting money on your trips to karachi.

[affanhaq94]

Everyone I ask, no one has agreed. Either they see me as too nice or I'm just not a briber.

My agent also sucks. Hasn't done much. Gonna be changing him for someone else and inshallah hopefully our stuff will get done.

[sardarg]

if you booked the container to Lahore port why it has been detained & destuffed at Karachi port thats' the basic question.

instead of looking for an excuse of no knowledge or no one telling you. please be good and ask yourself did you made any inquiries or made any effort to know the baggage rules, before loading the cargo in container what is permitted under transfer of residence. ?

only choice you have is to wait for auction.

[affanhaq94]

Yes we did all the homework we could, apart from inquiring in Pakistan which was a mistake.

Due to the time we booked the container, the government changed and all imports were banned. So no company wanted to take our stuff. Only one company agreed, but they only shipped to Karachi. Container HAD to be destuffed there.

Upon speaking with officers here in Lahore, they advised that since it has to be destuffed anyways, may as well do customs there. Listening to them was also a mistake.

So, now I am in the situation i am in.

I am not looking for excuses or trying to justify my actions, so keep the rudeness and condescending attitude to yourself please. I am not looking for that. I am simply asking if there is any way, which I may not know, that my process can be completed without having to go to auction.

However, it seems there is not. So, I am not complaining. This has been a definite learning curve to not trust anyone else's word here but your own.

I got my answer, job done. Unless there's a customs agent here who knows better.

Thanks

[capsat]

there is a price to learn, you paid highest. Keep tracking customs auction site, when the date is announced immediately contact the auction house and seek information for possible price to acquire. If you disclose it is yours, price will triplify. Be yourself and be calm it will land with you sometime in 2024.

[Xulfiqar]

That is if the motorcycle has not caught a liking of some customs bigshot.

In that case even current COAS or even some demigod cannot get that machine.