KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Pakistan Customs to release the consignments of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber provisionally if the importers file an application seeking review of their valuation rates.
A division bench of the SHC gave this direction on a petition filed by IB International, HH Enterprises, Nusrat Corporation, and Shan Chemical who challenged the valuation rates of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and sought provisional release of their consignments.
The petitioners’ counsel submitted that her clients imported various consignments of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, declaring it as per its transaction value in terms of Section 25(1) of the Customs Act 1969.
However, she complained that the customs authorities are assessing the value of their consignment on the basis of a valuation ruling which is much higher considering the prices of the goods in the international market.
When asked about whether the litigants have filed application before Pakistan Customs seeking review of such valuation ruling, the counsel’s response was negative.
Hence, the court declined her plea of conditional release of the consignments and asked the customs authorities to provisionally release the petitioners’ consignment when they file a proper application challenging the valuation rates.
