KARACHI: M/s Global Trading Company has approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) and filed a constitutional petition against impugned notices regarding detention and demurrage charges issued by customs officials due to alleged disputed valuation ruling no 1466/2020.
On 6 September 2021, counsel for the petitioner states that the staff of customs department intercepted/ detained/ blocked the imported goods on October 10, 2021 at port area, after cleared, completed and out of charged goods declaration under section 80 of the customs act, 1969, without jurisdiction, against enhance the value from Rs1,24,32,989 to Rs1,25,03,794 as per old & expire valuation ruling no 1466/ 2020 dated Aug 24, 2020.
Counsel added that petitioner already paid the illegal against enhanced duty and taxes amounts and penalty amount to save the further delay & detention charges and requested the respondents, may kindly direct to the customs authority for issue delay and detention certificate, due to ambiguity.
Mis-understanding and delay finalized the goods declaration the goods declaration dated July 13, 2021, after completing all formalities, they released the imported goods and they also accepted their mistake and could not find any discrepancy in the imported goods nor any fault of the petitioner.
Counsel further argued that however, customs officials totally refused, without consider the delay & detention certificate, the customs authority issued the 06 bills regarding detention charges amounts for Rs91,21,564 and also issued other 03 bills regarding demurrage charges for Rs. 21, 42, 511, it is illegal & against the law.
Citing Chairman FBR, Director of Customs Directorate General Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Collector of Customs Preventive, Collector of Customs Appraisement East and others, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and no legal effect.
Counsel further pleaded the court to set aside impugned notices regarding detention and demurrage charges.