KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday ordered conditional release of M/s Anum Traders’ consignment of miscellaneous items which was detained by the Customs authorities for evasion of Rs 1.6 million in duty and taxes through mis-declaration.
A division bench of the SHC directed the importer to deposit evaded amount of duty and taxes with Nazir of the court for issuance of appropriate certificate for release of the consignment.
Petitioner Syed Khurram Ahmed, proprietor of M/s Anum Traders, submitted that he imported miscellaneous goods from China. When the consignment arrived at the port, he through his clearing agent filed general declaration, he added. The Customs authorities examined and cleared the consignment after he deposited the duty and taxes.
Afterwards, the consignment was declared to be out-of-charge and gate pass was issued. However, the staff of Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation detained and re-examined the consignment.
The customs authorities found that two items, including copper bus bar and micro computer photo electric error controller, were not declared by the importer. The customs staff, therefore, registered an FIR against the petitioner and clearing agent for evading duty and taxes through mis-declaration without giving him a fair hearing.
The petitioner’s counsel said that since the matter is subjudice before the trial court, the consignment be released as it is lying on the port, accruing demurrage and other charges.
