KARACHI: Hearing against 37 clearing agents for their alleged involvement in infringement of age limit for import of cars prescribed vide SRO-1441(I)/2012 is to be held today (Saturday).
According to details, Additional Collector (ADC)–I of Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement-West Dr Iftikhar Ahmed will conduct the hearing in his office at 11.30am. However, show cause notices have been issued against the clearing agents in the first week of January.
In the notices, it was stated that the clearing agents may submit their written reply until January 29.
Those issued notices include JB Sons, Mafhh Enterprises, JL Enterprises, Alick International, Fox International, Soko Traders, Shafiullah & Sons, Fawad Omad Enterprises, Jumbo International, Cargo Kings, Awan & Asghar Associates, Farhat Sons, VIP International, MY Enterprises, Muhammad Enterprises, AR International, Clearance Management Services, United Cargo, Tabassum Enterprises, Ayaz Shipping Services, NR Enterprises, Razzaq Sons, Danyal Agencies, Indus International, AM Enterprises, Hamza Traders, Bhundi Corporation, Trade Link International, United Spectrum, World Ocean Center, Shahzeb Enterprises, Innovative Logistics, Fawad Omad Enterprises, Shamsi Trading Corporation, Aruamz Associates, Shameel Enterprises and Rays Enterprises.
The Appraisement-West issued the notices to the agents for their alleged involvement in violation of age limit for import of cars prescribed vide SRO-1441(I)/2012 and violated the provision of Section 208 and 209 of Customs Act, 1969, read with Rule 101 and 102 of the Customs Rules, 2001.
The FTO in his findings in Review Petition No 48/2013 in Complaint No 17/KPK/CUS(03)/497/2013 vide order had recommended the FBR to fix responsibility of clearing and shipping agents for manipulating the dates of B/Ls after providing them opportunity of explaining their conduct in this case.
Afterwards, in order to comply with FTO’s recommendations, the FBR had formed a committee with a task to submit report on FTOs findings with reference to para 58(iii).
The committee investigated/audited the record of clearance of used vehicles and identified the rule/mala fide acts on the part of clearing agents vide para 3.28/3.29 of its report as under:
“The committee has identified the number of 438cases/GDs already annexed-II wherein, cars which were not importable after cutoff date of 15-12-2012 (being older than three years and eight months) were allowed release on the basis of House Bill of lading or manipulated MBLs showing date prior to cutoff date wherein the actual date of MBLs were of or after the cutoff date i.e. 15-12-2012.”
“The clearing agents/shipping agents who had provided Bills of Lading in these GDs are responsible. The committee is of consider view that the concerned Collectorates where they have submitted manipulated bills of lading wherein in the HBLs or the manipulated MBLs were showing date prior to cutoff date that is 15-12-2012, whereas the actual MBLs were issued later than cutoff date i.e. 15-12-2012.”
Therefore, the authorities concerned of MCC-Appraisement (West) are called upon to show-cause notices to the clearing agents as to why action should not be taken against them for violation of SRO 208 and 209 of the Customs Act, 1969, read with Rules 101 and 102 of Customs Rules, 2001 notified vide SRO 498(I)/2009.”
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