KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered the Tax Department to file the para-wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by 28 importers challenging the determination of customs values of “Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles” over and above 12.5% of the Valuation Ruling No: 874/2016 by Director General of Valuation.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, was hearing the petition.
Earlier, counsel for Minhas Corporation M/s Abu Yousaf, M/s Sulehri Brothers, M/s Classic Ceramics Pvt Ltd, M/s Mehdi Tiles, M/s Yousaf Brothers, M/s Umer Corporation, M/s Haseeb Traders, M/s Five Stars Trading Co, M/s Artica Ceramics and others stated in their constitutional petition that they are engaged in the lawful business of import and trade having description “Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles” and fulfilling all the liabilities according to the law.
According to the petitioners, they had imported consignments of said goods, however they were informed by the Customs Department that Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House Karachi, that there are revision proceedings under section 25 D wherein the DG has no jurisdiction of customs values of subject goods over and above 12.5% of the valuation ruling no 874/2016 dated 22/06/2016.
Citing to Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate West, Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate East, Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation and Customs House Karachi, as respondents, petitioner pleaded with the court to kindly declare that act of the respondents illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. They also pleaded with the court to kindly restrain the Customs Department from collection of enhanced valuation till final decision of this petition and any coercive measures against the petitioners.
