KARACHI: The Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Karachi has advised all terminal operators to block consignments of yarn coming from UAE.
The I&I Karachi received a tip-off that some importers were involved in this illegal practice of importing yarn from India, which is manufactured at Kola in India, and then re-exporting it to UAE, where it is declared as Thailand origin. The importers then obtain a letter from Dubai Chamber of Commerce, which falsely certifies that the yarn has come from Thailand. However, no country can confirm the origin of the goods originated in a third country, they can only confirm their own products only.
Moreover, importers were claiming the benefits of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement.
The I&I Karachi asked all terminal imports to hold all the consignments of yarn coming from Jebel Ali and UAE, and verify the origin of the yarn and the bill of lading (BL) from Thailand, as well as the import general manifest (IGM) number from Thailand.
On the instructions of Director General Faiz Ahmed, these proceedings were initiated by Director Engineer Habib Ahmed, Additional Director Inamullah Wazir, Deputy Director Saifullah and Principal Appraiser Muhammad Qadeer, who investigated and detected this foul play.
The I&I Karachi has also noticed a significant increase in transshipment permits (TP) to Lahore, where the goods are assessed at 50% lower values than in Karachi, due to strict implementation of rules and regulations in Karachi. Moreover, Islamabad dry port is clearing auto parts in the garb of scrap. The I&I Karachi has taken steps to eliminate all these malpractices and safeguard the national exchequer.