Customs officials foil bid to evade Rs. 3.8mn in import duty in Karachi

KARACHI: Customs officials on Tuesday foiled a bid to evade Rs. 3.8mn in import duty through under-invoicing and misreporting the imported materials, ARY News reported.

According to details, the Intelligence Unit of Model Customs Collectorate (Appraisement) East received a tip-off about an attempt to import miscellaneous items in the guise of ‘used machinery’.

M/s Zulfiqar Traders Faisalabad had imported a container full of miscellaneous items from Malaysia and had reported it to be used machinery valued at $9000 (PKR 1,265,310).

Upon receiving the information, the customs officials seized the container at Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) and inspected it.

It was found to contain items of different uses including speakers and mics, used medical equipment, steel pipe fittings and bolts, tools, artificial jewellery, used air compressors and other items.

Customs estimated the items to be valued at Rs. 7 million, thereby foiling an attempt to evade Rs. 3.8 million in government dues.

The importer Zulfiqar was arrested by the customs officials and is currently under investigation.

The Customs officials on March 4 had foiled an attempt to smuggle mobile phones worth million of rupees near old Toll Plaza in Rawalpindi.

The officials had seized 1,799 phones, arrested two smugglers and also seized their vehicle at the old Toll Plaza.

The arrested persons were transporting smuggled mobile phones from Peshawar to Rawalpindi.