KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought comments from the Customs authorities on a petition challenging the amendment to Valuation Ruling No. 488/2012, increasing customs duty on import of rubber products. Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed a division bench, adjourned the hearing till October 05.
Petitioners M/s Shamshir Chemicals and M/s Fargo Belting Company moved the Court, submitting that they imported ungraded ribbed smoked sheets of rubber and sought their clearance declaring their value under PCT Heading 4001.2100 at US$1.2.
However, the Customs authorities refused to accept the value declared by them, said their counsel adding the authorities assessed the value on the basis of the amended valuation ruling whereby the value of goods was increased to US$ 2.7.
He argued that the amendment was made at whims and wishes of the Customs authorities without following mandatory provisions of the Custom Act. He said that he filed an appeal before the director general of customs valuation against the increase of the value which is pending disposal.
The Court was pleaded to set aside the amendment made to the valuing ruling and order provisional release of petitioners’ consignments.