KARACHI: In a significant breakthrough that underscores the renewed vigilance under the newly posted leadership at the Collectorate of Customs, Appraisement-West, authorities have foiled a massive attempt to evade duties and taxes amounting to approximately Rs. 308 million.
According to the First Information Report (FIR No. 03/2026) registered on August 20, 2026, the case involves a consignment of 40 packages weighing 25,316 kgs that arrived at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) on August 11, 2026. The consignment, shipped in Container No. NLLU4207580 from Jebel Ali Port, UAE, was declared as “Plastic Raw Material / Plastic Resin” under PCT 3901.9000, intended for the Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
However, Customs officials grew suspicious after examining the container’s scanning image, which contradicted the declared description on the electronic Bill of Lading and Manifest. The FIR states that the consignment was a case of gross mis-declaration involving the description, PCT classification, and value of goods — an attempt to clear highly taxed goods under the guise of plastic raw material meant for EPZ.
The offending goods have been valued at approximately Rs. 40 million, with the involved duties and taxes estimated at a staggering Rs. 308 million.
The successful interception comes in the wake of recent administrative changes at the Collectorate of Customs, Appraisement-West. Official sources confirmed that Collector Azhar Merchant, who previously served as Collector Appraisement-East, has been posted to the West collectorate. His transfer followed reported disagreements with then-Chief Collector Jameel Nasir, with one official stating that Merchant “couldn’t be managed” during his brief three-month tenure in the previous role.
Alongside Merchant, Additional Collector Amjad Leghari and Deputy Collector Hameer Khan have also been posted to the Appraisement-West collectorate. Sources indicate that the new team has delivered immediate results, with Collector Merchant issuing strict instructions to thoroughly examine all consignments referred from the Green Channel to the Yellow or Red Channel by the WeBOC system.
The WeBOC (Web-Based One Customs) system automatically flags and refers Green Channel consignments to Yellow or Red for rechecking profiles, and Merchant has directed his team to leave no such referral unchecked.
The FIR, lodged by Appraising Officer Faheem Shahzad, names M/s. Parona Pve Plastic & Allied Industry of EPZ Risalpur, Nowshera, and its Director Farhad Alam as the primary accused. Others, including clearing agents, shipping agents, and facilitators, are to be ascertained during the investigation.
The case has been registered under Section 32(1) & (2) and 79(1) of the Customs Act, 1969, punishable under various clauses of Section 156(1) of the same act, read with relevant provisions of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
This seizure is reminiscent of past major interceptions by Karachi Customs, including a December 2025 case that prevented a loss of Rs. 167 million involving mis-declared auto parts and undeclared laptops . The latest action signals a tough stance under the new leadership, aiming to curb revenue leakage and ensure compliance.