KARACHI: The Customs Department has submitted a reply with the Sindh High Court (SHC) on a petition of a customs bonded carrier, challenging the blocking of its Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) user ID, stating that its user ID was blocked due to its involvement in smuggling of a huge quantity of assorted foreign-origin alcohol into the country.
M/s Docks (Private) Limited, through its director Arbab Khan, has taken the Secretary Revenue Division and collector WeBOC to the court for blocking its user ID.
In the reply, Deputy Collector (Law) MCC-Appraisement-East said that the petitioner has filed goods declaration for transshipment on behalf of importer M/s Ayub Packages, Peshawar for transport of the cargo declared as assorted beverages. On physical examination, banned items, including alcohol, were recovered.
It was stated that mala fides and guilt on part of the petitioner has proven from the fact that he requested for cancellation of transshipment immediately after he found that the cargo was under physical examination.
“This fact proved that the petitioner is in league with the importer and tried to get the banned goods cleared.” The matter regarding cancellation of the petitioner’s user ID was lying with the licensing authority for adjudication as per law.
Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel had submitted that M/s Ayub Packages, Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa imported a consignment of assorted beverages and subsequently filed online goods declaration through its User ID. The importer authorized the petitioner carrier for transshipment of imported goods to Peshawar.
Later, the counsel said, the petitioner sent a request for cancellation of transshipment which was accepted. On July 28, the Collectorate of Customs Preventive lodged an FIR against the importer for mis-declaring the goods.
However, the counsel said, the petitioner’s User ID was blocked for unknown reasons. When he approached the customs authorities, he came to know that his ID was blocked in connection with the FIR. He argued that the user ID was blocked without any justification and adopting procedure laid down under Section 155-F of Customs Act 1969.
The petitioner prayed to the court to order the customs authorities to reactivate its user ID.
According to the FIR, the importer mis-declared the goods and on examination of the consignment, a huge quantity of assorted foreign-origin beer cans, whiskey bottles and wine was recovered. The consignment included 6,312 bottles of liquor, 2,904 bottles of wine and 6,720 cans of beer.
The matter was fixed for hearing on Monday but could not be taken up for want of time. The next date of hearing will be announced by the court office.
