KARACHI: A special customs reference application (SCRA) filed by local soap manufacturers against higher customs value fixed by the Customs Valuation was dismissed by an appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC).

The bench comprised Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Abdul Maalik Gadd besidesi was hearing a number of SCRA’s filed by Customs Valuation against A.K.Business Links and others.

The applicant department challenged the judgment by the Special Customs Appellate restricting the powers of the Customs Valuation. Filing the SCRA’s Masooda Siraj advocate maintained that Collector of Customs, Director General Valuation on his own, or on a reference made to him by any person or an officer of the Customs may determine the value of any goods or category of goods imported or exported into Pakistan. She further maintained that Special Customs Appellate Tribunal not appreciated that Valuation Ruling 737/2015 was issued after adopting/following the manner and method as prescribed under section 25 (g) of the Customs Act 1969.

The bench deferred hearing of these SCRA’s till Oct 17 while SCRA by Soap Manufacturers was dismissed being time barred.