KARACHI: The Sindh high Court (SHC) issued notices to customs department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Sodais International Trading Company Private Limited against enhancement of duty and taxes on all juicers, blenders, universal replacement parts etc under Valuation Ruling 903/2016.
While the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial also directing the customs officials to file their para wise comments on next date of hearing, court also adjourned the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged lawful business of imports of different items and fulfills all the responsibilities properly.
He submitted that petitioner imported consignment comprising of total eight items all juicers, blenders, universal replacement parts as well as non-original equipment manufacturer parts and filed good declaration as per law, however, officials of the customs authorities fixed the value under SRO 903/ 2016 dated 09/08/2016 illegally and mala fide. According to the petitioner said valuation ruling is not applicable in petitioner’s consignment.
Citing Secretary Ministry of Finance, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement East, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement West and Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement Port Mohammad Bin Qasim as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to set aside impugned direction of the customs officials and restrain them from taking any coercive action till final order in this case.
Counsel for the petitioner also pleaded the court may declare that said order passed by concern authority is illegal, mala fide, arbitrary and no legal effect.
