KARACHI: Sindh high Court has ordered provisional release of the consignment imported by M/s Chocolate House. The said consignment had been blocked by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Karachi (I&I Karachi) on account of mis-declaring the description and classification of goods to evade government revenue, which the importer is habitual of.
M/s Chocolate House had cleared 36 similar consignments earlier through mis-declaration depriving the exchequer of legitimate revenue to the tune of Rs59.5 million.
According to details, Director Saquif Saeed has shared intel with Additional Collector Ghulam Nabi Kamboh regarding massive revenue evasion by a toy importer.
Appraising Officer Faisal Bashir intercepted and seized a consignment declared to contain assorted bubble water imported by M/s Chocolate House, Karachi on account of mis-declaration of actual description of Assorted Bubble Blowing Plastic Stick / Wand and PCT 3402.9000 instead of actual PCT 9503.0090.
The incidence of recoverable duty and taxes against instant consignment and previously cleared 36 identical consignments worked out to be Rs2.65 million and Rs59.52 million, respectively.
The consignment being liable to confiscation was seized and seizure-cum-contravention report was issued. The case is under adjudication.
During seizure of the goods, the importer M/s. Chocolate House and the clearing agent M/s The Pak Traders approached High Court of Sindh.
Court has allowed release of the seized goods subject to securing of Rs2.65 million in the shape of bank guarantee / pay order with the Nazir of the Court.
Although, Customs pleaded before the court that another Rs59.52 million were recoverable from the accused, and releasing the case property would weaken the case.
Director I&I Karachi Saquif Saeed has written a letter to MCC Appraisement West (clearing collectorate) to re-assess the subject consignment provisionally as per law.