KARACHI: An appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) will hear a suit filed by a shoe importing company seeking exemption under Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and China.
According to Ghulamullah Shaikh advocate of Franklin Law Associates representing Siraj Footwear Company (pvt) Limited, a consignment of shoe was imported and clearance was sought from Pakistan Customs under relevant PCT heading, HS Code and seeking exemption under SRO 659 (1) of 2007.
The Customs department refused to entertain the exemption and imposed customs duty at a rate of 20 per cent against 5 per cent duty under exemption clause.
The customs department under a notification admitted that amendment in HS Code description is creating confusion and anomaly, however consignment was not released.
The plaintiff filed the instant suit seeking a declaration that petitioner is entitled to exemption under SRO 659 (1) of 2007 and that instead of 20 per cent, goods be released against 5 per cent customs duty and other taxes.