All Pakistan Ceramic Tiles Manufacturers Association (APCTMA) has urged the government to reconsider the inclusion of ceramic tiles in the Third Schedule of the Sales Tax Act 1990 as it will have negative impact on the industry which is already fighting for survival. The association said that the government has included "tiles" in the Third Schedule of the Sales Tax Act 1990 whereby it is now made mandatory to print retail prices on each box of tiles.

"It is not practical for the manufacturers to print retail prices on each box since the manufacturing process and nature of plant are not that simple that may allow immediate printing of prices on tiles boxes," it said. "Unlike FMCG products, tiles fall under the category of "Durable Products" and these are produced and sold on order-to-order basis in different regions at different prices due to variable freight cost".

These are consumed over a longer period of time and in some cases, where a design or type of tile is stuck, it may remain in stocks for more than one year. Moreover, tiles are produced in various grades and types in hundreds of thousands of varieties which make it impossible to print prices on each box. The inventory of tiles may be carried for years in the warehouses by a manufacturer and due to its weight, it is impossible to change prices on boxes once it is out from production hall," the association said.

"FBR should allow at least one-year time to the local manufacturers (if tiles are kept in 3rd schedule) to comply with the requirements of printing retail price on each box as currently none of the manufacturer has basic infrastructure to comply with the requirements," it added.