KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed customs officials and deputy attorney general to file their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s FL Enterprises and nine other importers, challenging 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 Omer Sial, was hearing the petition.
During the hearing, counsel for the customs officials sought time to file comments, therefore, court granted time and adjourned the matter and directed them to file comments on next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that they are engaged in import and trade of goods having description “ceramic and porcelain tiles”. It was informed by the customs department that Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House Karachi has revised the values under section 25 D wherein the DG has no jurisdiction on the subject goods under the law.
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, the petitioners pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary, they also pleaded the court to restrain the customs department from collection of enhanced valuation till final decision of their petition and any coercive measures against the petitioners.
