KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney general directing them to file their comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Saiban International seeking release order of consignments of tyres and change of consignee in its favour. Directives were issued by a division bench on Thursday’s hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in his constitutional petition that it is engaged in the business of import of tyres and tubes from various countries around the world including from China.
In routine course of business M/s Shandong Yougshen Rubber Group Co Ltd, Dongying City, Shaddong province, China offered the petitioner two consignments of tyres which arrived at Karachi Port and were lying there due to withdrawal of the original consignee M/s W.T.A Traders, Karachi against whose name of consignments were originally shipped from China.
Counsel argued that since the petitioner was the importer of same commodity, therefore, the said consignments were offered to the petitioner on same value, which offer was accepted by the petitioner and accordingly the amended B/L were issued by the shipping company by changing the names/ address of consignee from M/s W.T.A Traders Karachi to M/s Saiban International.
He argued that after completing all the formalities, importer filed Goods Declaration (GDs), whoever, he was informed the customs officials that customs authorities have refused to accept the request for the change of consignee, this refused is verbal an without any legal basis or reason whatsoever.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Appraisement West and others, he pleaded the court to allow the amendment for change of consignee and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.
