KARACHI (The News) -- Pakistani exporters have been incurring losses worth million of rupees as their consignments have been stopped at Zaidan port (Iran) by the loca; customs department for more than one month, exporters told The News.

About 120 consignments of export and import items have been disallowed shipment to their respective destinations in Iran and Pakistan by the customs authorities of Ziadan port due to some new laws and mechanism called “Ostani” introduced by the new custom office.

The new law has made it necessary that all imports and exports consignments get the clearance at every destination. Earlier, the exporters only cleared their consignments from one port and ship it to all cities of Iran.

Both Iranian and Pakistani importers and exporters usually deal on barter basis. About 70 Balochistan based exporters send rice to various cities of Iran. In return Iranian traders ship industrial oil and pulses to Quetta and other cities of Balochistan.

After the recent change in Iranian customs procedures nine importers of industrial oil and 60 small importers of pulses are waiting for their consignments.

President Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) Javed Rahim told The News that about 20,000 tons of rice could not be exported to the cities of Iran as the customs office of Zaidan is delaying to solve this matter on different issues. He added that the rice at Zaidan port is deteriorating with the passage of time in the winter and rainy season.

He said the QCCI also asked Iranian consulate intervening in this regard and provide relief to them but the customs collector turned deaf year on the request of Iranian consulate and the problem is still in the pipeline.

Muhammad Gul, who is also exporter of industrial chemicals and oil, said the two major Iranian exporters submitted their detailed laboratory reports and other inquiries to Zaidan customs office but demand for other inquires.

The officials of two aforementioned companies visit Pakistani companies conducting inquires and other reports during the dealing. The industrial oils including white oil, slackwax, pure wax, saats oil are imported by Quetta-based companies which is used in match and candle manufacturing.

Muhammad Gul, Vice President Customs Committee Quetta Chamber of Commerce said about 80 to 90 bogies of Quetta-based trains is standstill and waiting for clearance. He added that the train could cover five to six trips from Pakistan to Iran during these delay time period. Most of the trade between Iran and Pakistan occur by trains and by trucks.