KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to make sure filing their comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Sulson International against enhancement of valuation of imitation jewellery from $ 3.45 & 4.25 to $ 13.5kg imported from India.
A two-member bench heard the constitutional petition.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the lawful import of imitation jewellery and always fulfills all the legal requirements and never involved in any criminal case.
Counsel for the petitioner argued that his client imported two consignments on imitation jewellery from India and filed Goods Declaration (GD) according with law as per $3.45 & $4.25.
However, he was shocked when officials of the customs department informed that valuation of the above mentioned goods has been enhanced at the rate of US$ 13.5kg. He argued that customs officials have no power to enhance such valuation without approval of the concerned authorities.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Collector of Customs Collectorate and others as respondents, he pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to set aside impugned enhancement and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
Importer also pleaded the court to direct them to release of its consignments lay down at the port according with law and as per filed goods declaration.
After the hearing, court directed customs officials to make sure filing their comments on next date of hearing.
