KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the customs authorities and deputy attorney general, directing them to file their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s FL Enterprises and nine other importers.
The petitioner has challenged the determination of customs values of “ceramic and porcelain tiles” over and above 12.5 percent of the valuation ruling no 874/2016 by Director General of Valuation. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial, was hearing the petition.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that they import goods having description “ceramic and porcelain tiles”.It was informed by the Customs Department that Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House Karachi conducted revision proceedings under section 25 D. However, the petitioner submitted that the DG had no jurisdiction to revise customs values of the subject goods over and above 12.5 percent of the valuation ruling no 874/2016 dated 22/06/2016.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate West, Collector of Customs Collectorate East, Collector of Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House Karachi as respondents, the petitioners pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. They also pleaded the court to restrain the customs department from collection of enhanced valuation till final decision of their petition and any coercive measures against the petitioners.
