KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Customs authorities to shift the consignment ” Iron & Steel re-meltable scrap” from the port area to CPF Bonded warehouse on an constitutional petition filed by M/s CON-CAST Steel Industries (Private) Limied seeking release order of its consignment which was detained by customs authorities.
A two-member bench, comprising justice Irfan Sadat Khan and justice Arshad Hussain Khan, was hearing the petition. During the hearing, the counsel for the respondents requested for some time to submit para wise comments. Therefore, the court adjourned the hearing for a date which would be announced according to roaster.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is a leading and reputable importer of Iron & Steel from worldwide sources. It imported a consignment of ” Iron & Steel re-meltable scrap ” from Kuwait through its consignor M/s Midas Global Ltd and filed goods declaration dated June23, 2016 under changeable to custom duty @ 2% sales tax @ 5600.0 F,RO @5% and income tax @1% under HS Code No 7214.2010 chargeable to custom duty @ 30% sales tax @ 17% RO @30% and income tax 5.5% .
According to the petitioner, instead of releasing the consignment, it was informed by officials of the customs authorities that said consignment has being examined and being assessed. Then it was informed that same goods have been sent to department for contravention approval. Petitioner said that respondents are denying to release its consignment.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, The Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate (Port Qasim), The Deputy Collector of Port Qasim and others as respondents Petitioner pleaded the SHC may direct the respondents to release its consignment and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner. It also pleaded the SHC may direct the respondents to shift the said goods from the port area to CPF Bonded warehouse.
