KARACHI: The Collector of Customs, Appraisement (West) filed a constitution petition before High Court of Sindh on advice of Sardar Zafar Hussain, counsel for Pakistan Customs challenging an interim order passed by Custom Appellate Tribunal, Karachi Bench.
The tribunal exceeding its jurisdiction, powers in violating of section 81 of the Customs Act 1969, ordered release of goods against post dated cheques. The counsel canvassed the legal position before the Collector Customs and tendered opinion that illegal interim order needs to be challenged before the High Court of Sindh. Acting on such advice a constitution petition was filed against Sidra International, Karachi and Bench No II of Customs Appellate Tribunal.
The imported good is Essential Flavor Liquid and imported declared the PCT Heading 2403.1900 at declared value of 5999.93 Dhm. The customs sent the goods for examination at which it was found that importer declared origin of goods to be China whereas it were of US origin hence misdeclared and attempt was made to got the goods cleared at suppressed value.
The matter came up before the Custom Appellate Tribunal on 3.2.2025 where instead of decision on merit, the tribunal held that considering the hardship expressed by the counsel for appellant it would be befitting that Collectorate release the impugned goods on deposit of security i.e Post Dated Cheques covering the differential amount of duty and taxes along with redemption fine and penalties as adjudged by the adjudicating authority.
The petition is likely to heard in next few days.