KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the customs authorities to release the consignment of M/s Anum Traders’ within seven days after the company pays duty, taxes, redemption amount and the penalty imposed on it for mis-declaration.
A division bench of the SHC was hearing the petition filed by Syed Khurram Ahmed, the proprietor of M/s Anum Traders, who moved the court seeking release of the consignment, which according to the customs counsel, was detained for duty and taxes evasion of Rs 1.6 million.
The petitioner submitted that he had imported miscellaneous goods from China. When the consignment arrived at the port, he through his clearing agent filed general declaration, he added. The Customs authorities examined and cleared the consignment after he deposited the duty and taxes.
Afterwards, the consignment was declared to be out-of-charge and gate pass was issued. However, the staff of Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation detained and re-examined the consignment. The customs authorities found that two items, including copper bus bar and micro computer photo electric error controller, were not declared by the importer.
The customs staff, therefore, registered an FIR against the petitioner and clearing agent for evading duty and taxes through mis-declaration without giving him a fair hearing. The petitioner’s counsel said that since the matter is subjudice before the trial court, the consignment be released as it is lying on the port, accruing demurrage and other charges.
According to the counsel for the customs department, the customs adjudicating officer had upheld the confiscation of goods and ruled that the consignment be released when the importer pays a redemption amount at the rate of 35 per cent and 20 per cent on the undeclared items. A penalty of rupees 300,000 and 100,000 was also imposed upon the importer and the clearing agent, respectively for mis-declaration.
