FAISALABAD: Collectorate of Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Asma Hameed ordered to seize the tyres under the customs laws, besides giving an option to redeem the items on payment of duty/taxes.
Deputy Collector Asma Hameed issued Order-in-Original (ONO) while hearing a case against Rahim Ashraf and Abdul Jabbar detected by Faisalabad Customs Intelligence and Investigation.
Following credible information regarding the smuggling of tyres, tubes and flappers through a passenger bus, the customs staff intercepted a bus bearing Registration No MIN-3406 near Gatwala Toll plaza, Sheikhpura Road, Faisalabad coming from Lahore to Faisalabad.
The officials recovered tyres, tubes and flappers, which were laying on the roof of the bus. The officials asked conductor of the bus named Mohammad Shahzad to show documents regarding the legal import of the items but he failed to produce the same. Therefore, the officials confiscated the items under Section 17 of the Custom Act, 1969 read with Section 2(s) and sent case to the adjudication.
Two persons namely as Rahim Ashraf and Abdul Jabbar appeared in the office and claimed ownership of the recovered foreign origin tyres and tubes. They also submitted the affidavit on the stamp paper separately showing their willingness to pay duty/taxes.
The customs representative said that the seized items found were brought into the Pakistan illegally by evading duty/taxes leviable thereon, adding that the recovered items should be confiscated.
After hearing arguments, the adjudication authority stated, “It is concluded that seized goods had been brought in to the country through an unauthorized route without payment of leviable duty/taxes therefore order for confiscation of seized goods is issued under Section 156 (1) 89 of the Custom Act, 1969”.
Keeping in view the willingness of the owner, the adjudication authority said, “an option is given to the lawful owners under Section 181 of the Custom Act, 1969 read with SRO-449 (1) to redeem their respective seized good in lieu of confiscation on payment of duty and taxes”.