KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to release consignment of importer comprising on knitted pile, woven furnishing fabrics and other goods on provisional release as bank guarantee which was seized by customs officials due to disputed valuation.
While hearing of petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also issued notices to the customs officials and deputy attorney general for next date of hearing and directed them to file their comprehensive para wise comments on next date of hearing.
On 17 April, 2020, during the hearing, counsel for the M/s Office World argued in his constitutional petition that petitioner deals in furnishing fabrics of various kinds and use to import the commodity from worldwide resources since decades.
He submits that during the course of business, petitioner has imported a consignment of knitted pile, woven furnishing fabrics and other kind of fabrics imported from China and filed goods declaration according with law.
He further argued that petitioner came to know that officials of the customs department are assessing his consignment under the garb of valuation ruling no 881/2016 and valuation has been enhanced without any reason and informed to the stakeholders.
Petitioner said that being aggrieved by the act of the respondents, petitioner has no other remedy but moving Sindh High Court, therefore, court may set aside impugned valuation ruling.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate East, West and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Petitioner further pleaded the court may set aside impugned valuation ruling and direct them to release his consignment immediately on provisional release and also restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
Petitioner also pleaded the court may also directed them to issue delay detention certificate due to the petitioner.
