KARACHI: M/s Qureshi Enterprises and other importers have approached the Sindh High Court against detention of their imported consignments of pet foods which were detained by customs officials due to disputed valuation ruling no 1570/2021.
On 30 December 2021, while the hearing of petitions, a two-member bench issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney general of Pakistan and directed them to make sure filing their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsels for the importers argued that petitioners are engaged lawful business, imports of pet foods from different countries and always fulfilled all the legal formalities according to law.
They added that during the course of their business, petitioners have imported consignments of pet food (cat & dog food) and filed goods declarations according to law, however, customs officials seized the above-mentioned goods under the garb of valuation ruling no 1570/2021.
Counsels submitted that assessment is being done by the customs officials higher than declared valuation. Petitioners approached the customs officials for provisional release; however, request of the petitioners have been declined by the customs officials.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Director General of Valuation Ruling, Director Valuation Ruling, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, Collector of Customs Appraisement West as respondents, petitioners pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
They further pleaded the court may set aside impugned valuation ruling, direct them to release petitioners consignment and restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioners till final order in this petitions.
