LAHORE: The Customs Appellate Tribunal has reduced a redemption fine of 20 percent to 10 percent plus duties and taxes on the confiscated Iranian ceramic tiles and also remitted a penalty of Rs50000.
Muhammad Shabbir Gujjar, Member Judicial, heard the arguments from both sides and decided the case with remarks that if duties and taxes have been deposited then the same goods are released without payment of duties and taxes. However taking a lenient view, the redemption fine of 20 percent is reduced by 10 percent and penalty is remitted.
After taking a search warrant from the judicial magistrate, the staff of I & I Gujranwala had raided the godown situated near Upper Chenab Bridge, GT Road Gujranwala, and found a huge quantity of non-duty-paid Iranian ceramic tiles.
The owner of godown failed to produce documents regarding the lawful import of tiles and the same items were seized under Section 17 read with Section 2 (kk) of the Customs Act-1969.
After a show cause notice, adjudication proceedings were culminated and Order-In-Original passed that 15,543 cartons of tiles were outright confiscated.
Being aggrieved from the order, the appellant filed the case in the Customs Appellate Tribunal and challenged the ONO.
After hearing the arguments, the Customs Appellate Tribunal remanded back the case with the order to remit the penalty and reduce the fine.
