Customs nabs importers using forged documents

KARACHI: As many as 26 consignments of steel being cleared through customs on the basis of fake documentation were found during an operation at Port Qasim on Monday.

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Customs Intelligence and Investigation director-general Zahid Hussain Khokhar led the operation, which was carried out on the basis of a tip-off.

The illegal consignments carrying stainless steel and secondary quality coil sheets were reportedly imported from the United States, China and Japan. However, the importers had stated that the steel was of a lower quality in the documents submitted to FBR, in order to pay fewer taxes and duties.

This misdeclaration caused losses of over Rs25.5 million to the finance ministry. A case has been registered against the three importers involved in the crime and further investigation is underway. Those booked include Dost Muhammad Steel Traders, Comtrade Impex and Sheikh Hameed and Sons.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2020.