KARACHI: Model Customs Collectorate of Port Muhammad Bin Qasim has detected a case of mis-declaration in a consignment imported by M/s Al-Harmain Textile wanting to import a consignment of industrial sewing machines and motors in the garb of home consumption appliances.
Sources in MCC Port Qasim informed Customs Today that the importer has filed home consumption appliances Goods Declaration (GD) vide Machine No. KPPI-HC-44911-11-04-2014 and sought clearance under Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) heading 8452.2900.
Subsequently, on physical examination of the goods by the shed staff it was found that the 20 Japan made new industrial sewing machines model LBH-781; four China made industrial sewing machines model MB-373; 15 new industrial lock stitch series sewing machines; 90 Japan made used industrial sewing machines with head and motors (complete sets); 10 new induction motors of ½ HP 220V; 348 pieces of used industrial sewing machines with head and motors (complete sets) of assorted models including Jack, Siruba, Shuangma, Pemal, Zoje and 20 pieces of wooden tables for industrial sewing machines size 86x62x14cm were recovered in a consignment, whose ascertained value stood at $ 157,500.
It was found that the importer had mis-declared the description, quantity of goods which is actually found industrial sewing machines and motors assorted brands and models; declared quantity was 412 units, while, the actual quantity during examination was found to be 487 units.
Sources further revealed this scribe that the value of offending goods has been calculated and has worked out to be Rs 14,650,521 and the national exchequer would have suffered a loss of Rs 3,763,850, had the consignments gone undetected.
“This act of the importer constitutes an offence within the meaning of Section32 (1) & (2) of the Customs Act, 1969 read with the Section 3(1) of the Import & Export (Control) Act, 1950. The offence is punishable under Clause (9) & (14) of the Section 156(1) of the Customs Act, 1969 read with the Section 3(3) of the Import and Export (Control) Act, 1950 and 499(1)/2009 as amended vide SRO794(1)/2011,” sources added.
The sources further told this scribe that the Contravention Report has been formed and sent to the Customs Collectorate of Adjudication-I and the collectorate has also issued show-cause notice to the importer in this regard.
