KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the customs officials to file their comments 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.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Umer Sial, heard the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the customs department sought time for filing comments, and therefore, the court adjourned the matter.
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 & Porcelain Tiles”, they were informed by the customs department that Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House Karachi revision proceedings under section 25 D wherein the DG having no jurisdiction of customs values of subject good 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 Collectorate West, Collector of Customs Collectorate East, Collector of 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.
