KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the customs authorities and deputy attorney general of Pakistan on a constitutional petition filed by 15 importers against 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.
While the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Umer Sial, also directed them to filer their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the M/s Excel International Ventures, M/s Sulehri Brothers, M/s Marhaba Marble & Granite Tiles, M/s NS Traders, M/s Vesper Tiles Centre, M/s Adil Traders, M/s Al Nafes Trading Company, M/s Fazal Tiles & Sanitary Wares, M/s Home Solutions and others stated that they are engaged in import and trade of goods having desperation “ceramic and porcelain tiles”. However, they were informed by the customs department that Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House Karachi held revision proceedings under section 25-D wherein the DG had no jurisdiction to declare 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 Customs Collectorate West, Collector of Customs East, Collector of Customs Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House Karachi as respondents, petitioners pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary, they also pleaded the court may restrain the customs department from collection of enhanced valuation till final decision of their petition and any coercive measures against the petitioner.
