KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the customs department on a petition filed by M/s Selani & Selani and M/s Azuan Natural against 100 percent enhancement of valuation of imported black pepper/ white pepper.
On 3 March 2020, while the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also directing them to file their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioners have imported consignments of black pepper/ while pepper and after fulfillment, filed goods declarations accordance with law.
He further submitted that in accordance with the scheme of the customs act, 1969 the value of imported goods is assessed in accordance with the provisions of sections 25 or 25A of the act, 1969, as relevant to the present context, the assessment of the black pepper/ white pepper was carried out as per the previously goods was cleared on the basis of previous valuation ruling no 1047/2017 @ $1.00 per kg available with customs.
The said that the director valuation issued valuation ruling no 1350/ 2019 that the impugned valuation ruling enhancing 100% value @$2.30 kg stipulates the values of the basis of the values of the black pepper/ white pepper as stated in the China origin through under the so called.
Citing Chairman FBR, collector Appraisement West, East and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim as respondents, petitioners pleaded the court to declare that the impugned circular dated 22/11/2017 is unlawful confiscatory, arbitrary and ultra-virus the scheme of the customs act, 1969 the customs rules 2001, and fundamental rights of the petitioners enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan, 1973.
He further pleaded the court may restrain them from carrying out assessment of the consignments of the black pepper/ white pepper imported by the petitioners on the basis of the valuation ruling no 743/2015.
