KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs has arrested one Major (Retd) Noorul Amin in pursuance of FIR lodged against him for evading tax/duty to the tune of Rs8.894 million through mis-declaration and misclassification.
The accused is the proprietor of M/s Elektra Systems Pvt. Ltd, the importer nominated in the FIR; he presented himself before the Customs assuming all responsibility of the deed after which his clearing agent, Shah Zaman was freed. Shah Zaman earlier was in the department’s custody.
The department has appointed Appraising Officer, Noor Elahi as the investigation officer while Appraising Officer, Shahnawaz had detected the case and lodged the FIR.
According to details of the case, M/s Elektra Systems Pvt. Ltd, had imported a consignment of three units of Hitachi brand double effect dual fuel direct fired absorption chiller/heater with spare parts.
They filed a GD through their agent Zaman Agencies declaring C&F value of the goods as Japanese Yen 15.107 million and determined their liability to be RS5.249 million claiming custom duty exemption in excess of 5.0 percent ad valorem towards duty and taxes.
Group Appraiser Zafar Shabbir referred physical examination, which discovered gross mis-declaration as invoice and packing list found affixed with the goods quoted the value as Japanese Yen 41.4 million against the declared 15.107 million Yen, excess at the rate of 174 percent.
The examination report recommended the Group to collect extra taxes amounting Rs8.894 million and penal action under the rules.
It was also revealed that the impugned consignment had been imported against L/C No. 121NSU9001005530 while the importer had concealed this fact in the Goods Declaration confirming commission of fiscal fraud on part of the importers and their associates to cause loss to the exchequer.
Hence, FIR was lodged under relevant sections and clearing agent Shah Zaman was arrested. However, the importer Noorul Amin presented himself for arrest assuming all responsibility.