KARACHI: Pakistan Customs on the directives of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated a large-scale crackdown against vehicles importers, who managed to clear over-aged vehicles through fraudulent means.

FBR has also asked Pakistan Customs to provide data pertaining to the import of prime movers, sprinkle lorries and concrete mixtures since 2013. Sources told Customnews.pk that this data would be reconciled with Excise Department to ascertain whether these vehicles are registered as they were imported or otherwise.

If these vehicles are found to be registered as trucks, their registrations would be cancelled and vehicles would be confiscated.

Moreover, the coaster vans cleared in the last two years would also be scrutinized to find import of vehicles which were prohibited to be imported as per import policy order.

Meanwhile, all the Collectorates have initiated verification of PSI certificates submitted by the importers from their respective issuers.

The FBR directives came after Collector Port Qasim Surayya Butt issued an alert letter to FBR pertaining to import of vehicles, which were banned as per Import Policy order through fraudulent mean. The Board has also advised Customs to remain extra vigilant in the clearance of old and used vehicles.

It may be mentioned here that CIU MCC Port Qasim had intercepted seven used Toyota Coaster Vans under clearance, the year of model was declared as 2010 and the same was also found on seat belts during examination. All information relating to Chassis No. and Model No. of these vehicles was obtained by CIU from various sources, which confirmed manufacturing / model year from 1998 to 2008. Accordingly, contravention proceedings against the concerned importers and clearing agent were initiated.

Subsequently, MCC Port Qasim issued an alert that all the staff posted in the examination and assessment side is directed to be vigilant enough and use all available sources including the internet etc. to confirm the declaration made by the importer while processing the used vehicle consignments.

Uite recently, Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) of MCC Port Qasim has lodged 19 FIRs against M/s Quick Contractors & Traders for furnishing fake and forged documents to give color of lawful imports to vehicles otherwise not importable.

M/s Quick Contractors & Traders imported old/used prime mover truck and sought clearance. The images of scanned documents inclusive of PSI certificate issued by M/s SGS Gulf Limited were uploaded into WeBOC system. PSI certificate is an essential instrument for importation and Customs clearance of imported prime mover trucks.

The goods were processed and cleared. Later, information was received that some elements imported vehicles on the basis of fake tempered PSI certificates. Hence, the PSI certificates submitted by M/s Quick Contractors & Traders were forwarded to M/s SGS Gulf Limited for confirmation. Subsequently, it was found that all the documents submitted in their name were fake/forged and not issued by M/s SGS.

The local assemblers have time and again apprised Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) that old/used trucks, which are banned, were being imported in the name of refrigerated trucks. Later, these vehicles were being imported in garb of sprinkle lorries. Afterwards, these same vehicles were fitted with drums and imported as concrete mixtures.

And now these vehicles are being imported as prime mover trucks on fake PSI certificates. Customs is in litigation at different judicial platforms against several importers who imported trucks as concrete mixture.