KARACHI: On the directives of Collector Port Qasim Saeed Akram, Deputy Collector Amjad Hussain Rajpar has formed a list of 31 importable items, which are prone to mis-declaration and tight vigilance is kept on the clearance of these goods.
Fabric, garments/shoes, wood and tiles are prone to mis-declaration and certain importers mis-declare the description of these goods to evade government revenue. These goods come in several varieties and each having a different tax/duty structure. Other such goods include used computers, machinery, plastic, rubber, paper, auto parts and yarn.
It has been identified that many importers were mis-declaring the classification, origin and condition of imported goods to evade revenue. Iron & steel sheet coils, glass, lighting fixture, toys, edible items and chemicals have also been placed in high-risk category.
Split type air conditioners come in various capacities and types such as wall-mounted, inverter type, floor standing and window type etc; there is a huge difference in the value of each of these types. Importers are taking advantage of these technicalities to inflict loss on the exchequer.
Quantity and origin is being largely mis-reported on the import of bicycle. Similarly blankets, cheese, sweet corn, canned fruits are also on the check list.
In his presentation, Deputy Collector Amjad hussain Rajpar informed that on average 300-400 containers are market for examination every day. Out of which 50 percent containers are of scrap. There are several risk areas associated with import of scrap whether valuable items like copper, pure aluminum are mis-declared to be scrap; whether quantity and weight is correctly declared or not and provisions of Import Policy Order (IPO) are met.
Collector Saeed Akram has advised the appraising staff to keep vigilance on the import of above mentioned goods and consider the risk areas associated with the import of these goods.