KARACHI: An appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed  hearing two identical petitions filed by importers of toilet soaps ordered release of the consignments.

Adil Enterprises and M F Enterprises challenged the unilateral enhancement of custom duty by the Director, Customs Valuation in the presence of a Valuation Ruling.

Ghulam Hyder Shaikh advocate appearing for the petitioner companies/importers submitted that the Director Valuation transcended his powers by determining the customs value and duty at an enhanced rate.

The duty assessment was in violation of section 25 of the Customs Act 1969, the counsel for petitioner/importers submitted pointing out to the court that identical petitions are fixed for hearing on July 28 and these too may be heard on that date.

The bench allowing the petitions ordered release on payment of differential amount between the declared value and value as per Valuation Ruling.