KARACHI: Collectorate of Customs Adjudication-II issued a show-cause notice against M/s Batlia Steel Works for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 2.2 million to the national exchequer by way of mis-declaration of classification, it is learnt.
According to sources, the PCA Directorate found that M/s Batlia Steel Works imported two consignment of different sheets cleared by mis-declaring the classification under Pakistan Custom Tariff 2109.8710 from Customs Port Qasim, through their clearing agent namely M/s Laiba Shipping to avail undue/ inadmissible benefit/ exemption of sales tax vide S. No. 32 of table, whereas the imported goods are correctly classifiable under PCT 2107.8700.
It is pertinent to mention here that, M/s. Batlia Steel Works itself has imported identical/same import under correct PCT heading 2107.8700. Apart from it all other importers of different kind of sheets have either been declared by the imports or assessed by the Collectorates under PCT 2107.8700.
Accordingly, an audit observation was issued to the said importer. The importer was requested to submit the reply by 26 September 2017. Instead, the importer requested for extension of 15 days in submitting the reply.
However, the importer has failed to come up with any tangible evidence and explanation and is also unable to refute the charges leveled by the department.
