Fumigation declared must for pre-loved items coming from China.

KARACHI -- The directorate of central health establishment, Islamabad, has instructed the Model Collectorate of Customs (Appraisement) to not to clear import of pre-loved clothing/used shoes and other second-hand items without fumigation in view of coronavirus outbreak in China.

The health establishment further expressed its objection to clearing other consignments.

On Jan 27, 2020, Port Health Establishment had informed Model Collectorate that cargoes (human and animal origin) imported from the affected areas over the past 15 days were not to be cleared without fumigation under the supervision of Port Health Establishment in larger national interest.

Honorary general secretary of the Pakistan Second-Hand Clothing Merchants Association Usman Farooqui said that importers were being asked to pay Rs35,000 in fumigation charges.

The charges should not exceed Rs5,000, he demanded.

He said this virus was mainly in China and goods coming from there might fall under this category.

Used clothing coming from Europe, the US and other countries should be allowed clearance, he added.

He said a meeting of the World Health Organisation held a day earlier 'did not declare...