MULTAN: Collector Customs Adjudication issued orders for release of the seized silicon sheets on the payment of duty and taxes after conclusion of hearing.
According to details, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan intercepted the consignment of an importer from Khanewal who imported foreign origin parts for transformers i.e silicon steel sheets and cores under the garb of iron and steel re-meltable scrap. The importer was importing various restricted items by mis-declaring import items in the name of different steel mills under HS code 7202.4990 while the used imported items were silicon steel sheets and cores of transformers in used and serviceable conditions rightly. The goods owner Shamshad of Lahore presented imported documents to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan team.
The Customs teams de-stuffed the whole loaded container to examine the goods. During the examination, the Customs Intelligence found that most of the seized items were serviceable and were not declared at the time of filing of goods declaration for the clearance.
The said owner of the seized container failed to submit any reply of the show cause issued by the Customs Adjudication. Customs Adjudication formed a three-member team to determine the actual description of the seized goods as claimed by the importer. The seized silicon steel electric sheets and core of transformer weighing 20,500 kilograms were observed. Only 20 percent sheets were observed in loose condition.
Collector Customs Adjudication have concluded from the report of customs that goods were got cleared by mis-declaring the actual description by importer to evade the leviable duty and taxes .Therefore these seized goods are ordered to be confiscated under section 32 of Customs act1969. But Customs Adjudication took a lenient view by imposing redemption of 10 % taxes of the value of seized goods in addition to leviable duty and taxes.
The seized goods of 17500 kg foreign origin used silicon steel electric transformer and 3000 Kg foreign origin used silicon steel cores are serviceable .During proceedings the seized goods were released to its lawful owner after due verification on these mutilated scrap under section 27 A of the Customs act 1969 of Customs rules .Collector Raja Tahir Majeed have imposed fine of Rs.50, 000 on the importer under clause 14 of section 156(I) of the Customs act, 1969.
