KARACHI: MCC Appraisement West has foiled a bid to import and clear huge quantity of ozone depleting substance (ODS), which was being cleared through mis-declaration.
Information was passed through Collector Ashad Jawad to Additional Collector Rehmatullah Vistro that attempt would be made to clear refrigerant gas through mis-declaration. Customs staff tightened the vigilance and a consignment imported by M/s Cool Corporation was detected.
An official said Pakistan Customs had achieved another milestone by detecting a case of huge quantity (18MT) of Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS) at MCC Appraisement West, Karachi.
As per IPO, R-22 refrigerant Gas- importable by Ministry of Climate Change quota holders only, however, a non-quota holder attempted to get it cleared in ISO Tank by mis-declaring its description as R-32, a freely importable gas.
The credit goes to Deputy Collector Asim Awan who not only question the authenticity of labels pasted on Tank, while assessing the goods but also dared take sample with the help of UNEP expert, from high pressured ISO Tank to get it tested and confirm its description through Digital Gas Analyzers.
UNEP consultant at Karachi acknowledged this detection, as first of its kind in Pakistan. This is manifestation of Pakistan Customs capacity in enforcing laws and commitment to international obligations.