KARACHI: The Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) of Appraisement-West has decided to take legal action against those clearing agents, who were involved in clearance of around 1,900 vehicles under “Vehicle Amnesty Scheme” (VAS) during the period between June, 2012 and November, 2013, it is learnt here.`
Sources confirmed Customs Today that the Collectorate has been making a list of the clearing agents, who deal with the import of vehicles, in order to take legal action against those in connection with recovering the shortfall amount and surcharge.
When contacted, MCC Appraisement-West collector told this scribe that the collectorate will not let the issue “unchecked” and the Pakistan Customs will certainly wrap up the entire matter in befitting manner.
It is pertinent to mention here that the collectorates have issued demand notices worth Rs 450 million against the importers who were involved in the clearance of 1,900 vehicles under VAS in term of shortfall in surcharge and difference in duty/taxes.
Moreover, the complaints have been registered in the office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) in the year 2014 regarding the violation of SRO144 (1)/2012 in clearance of vehicles under Vehicle Amnesty Scheme (VAS).
The complaints highlighted the difference of duty/taxes in clearance of vehicles from Karachi and Peshawar respectively.
FBR Member Customs Nisar Muhammad Ali formed a committee in order to inquire the facts and figures in the clearance of 1,900 vehicles under Amnesty Scheme from June, 2012 to November, 2013.
The committee sent a comprehensive audit report to the FBR authorities in clearance of vehicles under VAS, which was later forwarded to the collectorate for further legal action.
