KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to tax authorities on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Ashraf Traders, M/s United World Corporation, M/s Fahad Enterprises and M/s Fams Enterprises against fixation of Valuation Ruling No 863/2016 dated June 2, 2016 on consignment of “toilet soaps “.
While hearing the petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Khadim Hussain M Sheikh also directed the respondents to submit their respective comments on next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that petitioners are engaged in the lawful import of “toilet soaps” from various sources around the world, including Indonesia, Malaysia and UAE.
According to the petitioners, they imported various consignments relating to toilet soaps and filed goods declaration; however, officials assessed enhanced value on the basis of the impugned Valuation Ruling No 863. The counsel argued that respondents have arbitrarily fixed the customs value of toilet soaps vide the said valuation ruling which is contrary to regulation.
Citing Revenue Division secretary, Customs Appraisement-West collector, Customs Valuation director and others as respondents, the petitioners pleaded the SHC may declare the valuation ruling as illegal and of no legal effect. The court may also declare the act of the respondents in withholding the consignments of the petitioners as illegal, malafide, void, unjust, and tainted with ulterior motive and of no legal effect.
