KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs department and deputy attorney general to file their comments on a petition filed by M/s Smart Steel Ind. (Pvt) Ltd seeking release order for imported consignment of secondary quality cold-rolled steel coils seized by customs officials due to disputed valuation.
On 10 July 2020 a two-member bench headed by Justice Khadim Hussain heard the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner imported of secondary quality cold-rolled steel coils at the prices/ rates mentioned in respective letter of credit, whereas, on arrival of respective goods under the detailed LCs, the petitioner is required to file goods declaration with respondents for the purpose of customs clearance on actual/ declared transaction value under the mandate of section 25(1) of customs act, 1969.
He submitted that however, officials of customs department are bent upon to assess the customs value of subject consignments as per valuation ruling bearing no 1213/2017 under section 25A ibid, which has been set-aside being declared as without lawful authority by the appropriate appellate authority.
Citing chairman FBR, collector of Customs Appraisement East, collector of Customs Appraisement West as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents to assess the import consignments of the petitioner under an illegal, non-existent and set-aside valuation ruling by appropriate authority is illegal, unlawful, unwarranted and without lawful authority.
He further pleaded the court to declare that the denial to assess the import consignments under section 25(1) of the customs act, 1969 is absence of any valuation ruling under section 25A ibid is unlawful, illegal and without lawful authority.
