KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to file their para wise comments on a petition filed by M/s Abid Enterprises, M/s M.A Ilyas, M/s Brother Enterprises, M/s A.B International Agency and M/s Bilal Brothers Industries challenging valuation ruling no 1432/2019.
On 3 February 2020 a two-member bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that importers are seriously aggrieved and highly prejudiced by the actions of the customs department, whereby, customs official have denied to accept the declared transaction value of the imported consignments of nylon yarn and are assessing the duty and taxes on the basis of the valuation ruling no 1432/2019.
He submitted that petitioner has challenged the above mentioned valuation ruling before Director General Valuation and revision petition under section 25D is pending goods are without following the sequential methods laid down under section 25 of the customs act, 1969, it is submitted that the revision petition under section 24D pending meanwhile the petitioners’ consignments have arrived at port for which the petitioners have sought provisional release of its consignments until final decision, however, customs officials have refused such request.
He further argued that consignments are at port and incurring heavy port demurrages besides other financial charges on containers, however, despite repeated requests, the customs officers have refused the provisional release of the said consignments.
Citing chairman FBR, the Collector of Customs Appraisement East/ West and the Director General of Directorate General of Customs Valuation as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to restrain the respondents, their officers from any coercive action against the petitioners in respect of the past and closed consignments.
He further pleaded the court may direct the respondents to issue delay detention certificate.
