Dec 17 layout 1

Daily on www.customsbulletin.com

Find us on

pAkiStAn’S fiRSt inDeptH newSpApeR on cuStoMS

Daily

ABC Certified

Karachi, Sat December 17, 2016

ISLAMABAD

M ARSHAD

www.customsbulletin.com

T

he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been taking a number of measures under a strategy to enhance export by raising gross production of value added good and Pinished products in the country. These measures include issuance of SRO’s, reduction of duty, sales tax as well as customs duty as well as facilities offered to exporters especially in the form

Vol 2 Issue No. 59

Price Rs. 14.00

of prioritized payment of sales tax refunds. A well placed source at FBR told Customs Today that in 2013-14, an SRO 809 was issued to give an incentive duty free import of textile machinery to importers.

Moreover, exporters were given draw-back for local taxes and levies on textile products on FOR values and their enhanced export if increased beyond 10% (over last year’s export) at 4% on garments, 2% on made up and 1% on processed fabric. The source further said that FBR lowered the rates of sales tax for exporters as well as introduced and expeditious refund system for manufacturers-cum-exporters. The system performed well and produced good results in the increased tune and value of exports especially exports of textile products. The source said that the benePit of Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies Scheme remained available for the exporters in the Piscal year 201516.

‘Cash-dogs’, metal detectors installed at airport to detect fake currency, gold

Rawalpindi Customs Intelligence seizes dried fruits, other goods worth Rs 8m

'Pakistan does not view Chabahar port as competition'

Customs I&I impounds non-customs paid luxury vehicles worth Rs 20m

Hyderabad ASO seizes cigarettes, vehicle worth Rs 2 million

TheCustomsPreventivehasmadeeffective measures to curb smuggling of gold | See pAge 02 |

TheDGofCustomsIntelligence,Rawalpindi, hasseized18,476kilogrammesmuggled | See pAge 03 |

In a bid to pacify growing anxiety regarding the development of Chabahar | See pAge 04 |

Customs I&I team on Monday impounded four non-customs paid luxury vehicles | See pAge 14 |

The Customs ASO confiscated smuggled cigarettes andToyota Corolla worth Rs 2 m | See pAge 16 |

2

www.customsbulletin.com

IHC adjourns Wi-Tribe’s case against LTU Saturday, December 17, 2016

National

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court on Wednesday adjourned hearing of couple of tax references filed by M/s Wi-Tribe Pakistan challenging recovery notices issued by the field offices of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). A division bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb held initial hearing of income tax references filed recently against show cause notice issued in August for tax year 2015.

Through the references, the company had made LTU Inland Revenue (IR) chief commissioner, IR withholding assistant commission, IR (Appeals) commissioner and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman respondents in the case.

‘cash dogs’, detectors installed at airport to detect fake currency, gold

KARACHI

KARACHI

wAQAR AHMeD AnSARi

S R kHAn

www.customsbulletin.com

www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of bleached/unbleached Kraft liner board and paper Valuation Ruling No 989/2016 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. The Customs values of bleached/unbleached kraft liner board and paper were determined under section 25-A of the Customs Act 1969.

Valuation Ruling No.833/2016 dated 19.04.2016. All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association has requested for revisiting the above mentioned ruling to reflect the current price trend in international market and in light of order of the Sindh High Court (SHC) in CP No.6918/2015 dated November 11, 2015. Accordingly an exercise was undertaken to examine contents of the associations request and to determine the Customs values of the subject goods in the light of pre\ ailing international market prices.

A stakeholders’ meeting held on 03.11.2016. All participants were requested to submit the documents included Invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value.

T

T

he Customs Colletorate Preventive has made effective measures to curb smuggling of gold and foreign currency at Jinnah International Airport.

Chief Collector-Enforcement South Muhammad Zahid Khokhar has written to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Mohammad Khan, stating that the Pakistan Customs has trained the “cash dogs” which are kept at the Enforcement and Operational Center of the Customs Preventive near the airport. In the letter, the chief collector informed the chairman that the “cash-dogs” have been deployed at arrival and departure lounges of the airport to sniff fake currency on time. It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Customs, while following the directives of the FBR high-ups, had got trained the “cashdogs”, which are capable of smelling fake currency from the baggage of the passengers. Sources said that the customs ofPicials got the sniff dogs trained in six months, adding that four “cash-dogs” have been deployed at airport in Pirst phase while four others would be brought to the airport in the second phase.

Sources further said that the metal detectors containing latest technology have also been installed at the arrival and departure lounges

Dg customs Valuations revises value of kraft liner board, paper

of the airport for detecting gold biscuits and other gold ornaments. It may be mentioned here that the ofPicials of Pakistan Customs at airport have done splendid job during a week or so in connection with successful seizures of smuggled gold and foreign currency. Meanwhile, Chief Collector (Enforcement South) Muhammad Zahid Khokhar has lauded the antismuggling efforts of Customs ofPicials deployed at Jinnah International Airport. He appreciated the ofPicials’ per-

formance during a special meeting of the Customs ofPicers at his ofPice. The meeting was attended by Collector Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo, Gwadar Collector, Collector Quetta and other high ofPicers. The sources disclosed that the meeting was contains one-point agenda pertaining to uproot smuggling activities and to save the national exchequer in this regard. During the meeting, Chief Collector-Enforcement Muhammad Zahid Khohar particularly lauded the

recent efforts made by the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) and Customs ofPicers deployed at Jinnah International Airport in connection with thwarting the smuggling activities, which have saved millions. The Chief Collector-Enforcement (South) also appreciated the strategy and efforts being made by Collector-MCC Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo in order to curb the smuggling activities, adding that stressing upon same efforts in the future as well.

Jhang ASo seizes non-duty paid tyres worth Rs 350,000 T

FAISALABAD

nAeeM SHeikH

www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Jhang has seized foreigin origin tyres worth Rs 3,50,000 involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs193239 during an action.

Sources told Customs Today that Collector Zulfiqar Ali received credible information about some smuggling activities. He immediately

constituted teams to foil these attempts, The ASO staff intercepted a vehicle bearing registration no.

FDS- 6195 Minthar Express near Rajna Chowk district Toba Tek Singh loaded with foreign origin tyres 70 numbers in different brands including (Br. Yokohama, Dunlop). The vehicle was coming from Sadiqabad and was heading towards Faisalabad.

Customs Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya asked the conductor namely Muhammad Nadeem son of

Muhammad Hussain resident of tehsil Gojra district Toba Tek Singh to produce documents regarding legal import or lawful possession of the goods. But he remained failed. Therefore, the officials impounded the smuggling tyres under Section ( U/S ),168, 16, 18, and 32 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with SRO No 499(1)2009.

Meanwhile, The Customs AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO) has impounded a foreign origin used Toyota Mark-X car worth Rs

36,00,000 involving customs duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 26,50,000. Sources told Cutoms Today that Collector Zulfikar Ali Chaudhary received information about some non duty paid vehicles being used for smuggling attempts.

He formed teams to foil these attempts. During checking of vehicles, the ASO team noticed a Toyota Mark-X car bearing registration no.

FDM-43467 Model 2006 in white colour parked outside Katchery Bazar Faisalabad.

The owner of the vehicle has neither connected the office ASO Faisalabad nor has produced any evidence of the lawful import. The said vehicle was taken into the customs possession and brought into ASO office. Recovery and other necessary documents were prepared in presence of two witnesses.

Therefore, the said vehicle was taken into the custom possession under section 2(s), read with SRO 566(1), 2005 section 16, 18, 168, of the Customs Act 1969.

3

www.customsbulletin.com

FBR specifies areas for loading, unloading of bulk grain, fertiliser KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has specified areas at Port Qasim for loading and unloading of bulk grain/fertilizer and storage of bulk cargo by M/s Fauji Akbar Portia Marine Terminal Limited. In the SRO 1130(I)/2016 issued on Wednesday, the FBR specified limits as following: (A) main grain and fertilizer terminal measuring 22.6 acres (approx.); (a) North: Berth back up area; (b) East: Container Terminal – 2; (c) West: Grain Fertilizer Terminal – 2; (d) South: Navigational Channel; and; (B) Plot No. SP-02 (back area) measuring 15 acres (approx) located in South West Industrial Zone; (a) North: Plot No. SP-03; (b) East: Road; (c) West: Road; (d) South: PQA Land.

Thursday December 15, 2016

National

customs Adjudication schedules nine smuggling cases for December 27

Rawalpindi customs intelligence seizes dried fruits, other goods worth Rs 8m

FAISALABAD

iQRA SHeHZADi

www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Adjudication additional collector will hear around 9 cases On December 27, 2016 involving millions of rupees in wake of duty and taxes.

As per the details, the additional collector will hear cases of the cloth and miscellaneous items, cigarettes, cigarettes lighters, tobacco, used Hino Truck, Toyota Hilux Surf, self adhesive sticker paper, raw material for ladies shoes, assorted gauze sponges and other smuggled items on the said day. A case of cloth and miscellaneous goods seized by Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO), Mainwali against Amer Khan and another case against Jehanzeb Khan of Toyota Hilux Surf bearing Registration No. LEC -11- 3777 impounded by Faisalabad ASO will be heard.

C

fSt adjourns several complaints filed by fBR workers ISLAMABAD

nAeeM uLLAH tARiQ www.customsbulletin.com

ederal Service Tribunal on Tuesday adjourned hearing of over a dozen complaints challenging administrative measures of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

FST division benches comprising Syed Rafique Hussain and Dr Nazir Saeed; and Ishtiaq Ahmed and Javed Iqbal Kasi heard the cases.

Members heard complaints about promotion, reversion and seniority.

Syed Rafique Hussain and Dr Nazir Saeed heard Abdul Hakim Khan’s petition on ‘implementation’, Abida Aslam Rathor’s case on reversion, Shafqat Rasool Sindhu’s submission on censure, and Aleem Ahmed’s case about his seniority. The bench, after receiving main counsels request seeking time to argue, adjourned hearing of aforementioned complaints.

F

ISLAMABAD

tARiQ DeRYA

www.customsbulletin.com

T

he Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Rawalpindi, has seized 18,476 kilogramme smuggled dried fruits and other goods worth Rs 8 million.

The suspects were trying to smuggle the dried fruit to Peshawar from Quetta. Additional Director Abdul Waheed Marwat told Customs Today that on pursuance of information, the anti-smuggling staff intercepted a trailer bearing Registration No TLG-819 near Fateh Jang.

The ofPicials searched the vehicle in presence of witnesses and driver Akhter and found 1,120kg Chile-origin almonds without shell, 7,500kg Iranian-origin pistachio with shell, 4,000kg roasted gram, 2,856kg raisin, Suzuki Pick Up without gear and KEM deep with three submersible pumps.

On demand, the driver of truck produced photo copies of GDs bearing Nos QDRY-HC-1494 dated November 15, 2016, QDRY-HC-884 dated 03.10.2016, QDRY-HC-1197 dated October 27, 2016 and QDRYHC-1236 dated October 31, 2016, and QDRY-HC-4358 dated October 10, 2016 along with receipts in respect of loaded foreign origin goods.

The GDs and receipts were examined and it was found that the receipts did not have the name and address of the consignee and purchaser

of the goods. No other documents like voucher and invoice were produced.

As regard to the GDs, there are no nexuses between the importer and purchaser and consignee of the goods in question. Hence the same were found irreverent and smuggled one; therefore the detention has been converted into seizure. The trailer truck was also impounded under Section 168 of the Customs Act 1969. A notice under section 171 ibid is also sent at the given address of the driver. Mean-

the officials searched the vehicle in presence of witnesses and driver Akhter and found 1,120kg chileorigin almonds without shell, 7,500kg iranian-origin pistachio with shell, 4,000kg roasted gram, 2,856kg raisin, Suzuki pick up without gear and keM deep with three submersible pumps

custom court sends 7 suspects on remand

C

KARACHI

M BiLAL

www.customsbulletin.com ustom Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi on Wednesday sent seven suspects on physical remand until December 13, 2016.

The suspects were allegedly involved in smuggling of 9,000 litres diesel through wooden boat.

During the hearing, Investigation Officer Azhar Malik produced the suspects, Abdul Hanan, Momin Khan, Syed Ameen Khan, Gulam

Khaliq, Badshah Mehmood and Muhammad Ayyaz, in the court. He submitted that the customs authorities succeeded in capturing the boat near Mubarak Village Karachi and recovered 9,000 liters of diesel.

The officer informed the court that after recovery of diesel, the customs authorities arrested the accused persons and seized the diesel along with wooden boat AlBattail BFD 12344. He further informed the court that the alleged

owner of the boat, Abdul Aziz, is absconder and financer abettors and others to be ascertained during the investigation. He requested the court to send the suspect on a 14-day physical remand. After the arguments, the court sent the suspect on physical remand and directed the investigation ofPicer to produce them in the court on the next hearing along with progress report. According to the prosecution, the value of diesel has been estimated at Rs 675,000 and the boat at Rs 5 million.

while, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Rawalpindi has seized 24,315 kilograms foreign origin non-duty paid smuggled dry fruit, including cashew, almond, pistachio and raisins worth Rs 10.426 million. According to details, the antismuggling staff of the Directorate of Custom I&I Rawalpindi intercepted a Daewoo truck bearing registration no. TLK- 755 near Fateh Jang being driven by Muhammad Bukesh son of Jan Muhammad.

Sindh excise recovers 30kg charas he Excise Department Sindh has recovered 30 kilogram charas and arrested a suspect. According to the official statement, on the directives of Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation and Narcotics Control Mukesh Kumar Chawla checking was enhanced on Sindh borders. As a result of this vigilance many cases of drug smuggling have been detected in recent days.

T

4

www.customsbulletin.com

Drive against power pilferage in full swing Saturday December 17, 2016

Business

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) drive against illegal use of electricity and recovery of dues has been geared up throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PESCO spokesman said here Thursday Pesco teams under the supervision of Nadeem Afridi Xen Cantt division Peshawar checked various premises in the jurisdiction of Gulberg, University Town-2 and Kohat Road sub divisions along with Pesco Police and nabbed 18 persons using direct connections. FIRs registered against the accused who were identified as Shah Jehan s/o Shah Nazar, Yasin s/o IjazAhmad, Shahid s/o FaridUllah, Hussain Khan s/o Adam Khan.

‘chabahar port not a competition’ ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

I

n a bid to pacify growing anxiety regarding the development of Chabahar port by Iran and India, Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan does not looks at the port’s progress as competition but a development that complements the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He said this during the 32nd AGM and Conference of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.

The theme of the lecture was ‘Regional and Domestic Political Economy’. Iqbal said that the policies

AJk to get 3g, 4g internet domain MIRPUR

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

he fast paced domain of test information technology the 3G and 4G, will soon land Azad Jammu Kashmir including Mirpur division meeting the long-cherished demand of the local internet users to be linked with rest of the world swiftly. This was disclosed by the Acting Commanding Officer of the SCO Mirpur division Major Syed Jabran Danish, while responding to the questions by the journalists about the much-awaited arrival of the swift internet service of 3G and 4G strength in AJK including Mirpur.

T

should be research-based and should not be formed intuitively.

Chabahar port the new game changer? Highlighting the importance of CPEC for Pakistan, the min-

ister said that the project is not only a game-changer but it could also be a fate-changer if implemented correctly. Iqbal said 10 years ago, the world was looking Pakistan as a se-

curity concern but now governments and think-tanks worldwide are looking for opportunities they can gain through CPEC. Giving examples of giants like Blackberry and Nokia who lost their place as global leaders, he said that we must adapt to the changing conditions around the world or else we would be left behind. Iqbal said that CPEC is not just about transportation infrastructure and energy projects. “It is a framework that is much broader, holistic, and looks at all the socioeconomic factors of development.” The minister added that under CPEC, China does not look at Pakistan as a market but a country with shared destiny. “By sharing their development experience, the Chinese are helping Pakistan to expedite its development process.”

kp nAB arrests official, two others in wwB land acquisition case N

PESHAWAR

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa arrested Tehsin Ullah Manager NIB Bank, Ijaz Hussain and Ghulam Rasool owners of the land on the not conPirmation of BBA from Peshawar High Court (PHC). They are allegedly involved in corruption and corrupt practices and kickback / commission in acquisition of 840 Kanal Land for Worker Welfare Board construction of labour

complex at Mouza Shahi Bala District Peshawar, thus causing huge loss of Rs 200 million to provincial exchequer. During the course of inquiry, it was revealed that accused Tehsin Ullah remained relationship manager and afterwards branch manager of NIB Bank, Shoba Chowk, Peshawar City in the year 2012-13.The accused in connivance with other co-accused person operated different dormant bank accounts in order to circulate the bribe money. The accused aided, abetted and facilitated other accused persons in smooth transfer of bribe / kickbacks money. The accused in

connivance with other accused persons opened fake / fraudulent bank accounts, wherein the bribe / kickbacks amount was deposited and was further withdrawn in cash or transferred to relatives of other accused persons. The bank accounts of Ibn-e-Amin, Saleem Khan and Mian Fazal Subhan were being operated by accused Tehsin Ullah in order to hide the trail of money. The accused Ghulam Rasool and Ijaz Hussain Landowners with mala Pide intensions and with ulterior motives in order to extract illegal amount from the state exchequer.

Japan gives Rs 205m for face recognition system ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

apanese government would provide 200 million Yen, equivalent to Rs 205 million to install advanced Facial Recognition System at airport for security improvement in Pakistan. The Face Recognition System is a computer application capable of identifying or verifying an individual from a digital image of human face, captured by video cameras. According to an official document of the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai and Secretary Economic Affairs Division, Tariq Bajwa have signed documents of Japanese grant aid for installation of this advanced system. In addition to this project, Japan has been assisting Pakistan through implementation of various projects in the field of security. It said, X-ray scanning devices have been installed a three international airport including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and similar projects are now underway at Karachi and Bin Qasim International Ports. Last year, Japan handed over 123 Japanese Hybrid Vehicles to the Ministry of Interior and National Highway Police for patrolling. Moreover, in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Pakistan, the four-year project on strengthening border management and illegal drug control has also started this year.

J

no question of refusing details of written off loans arises: SBp LAHORE

S

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

tate Bank of Pakistan has explained some facts about the written off loans and made it clear that it has never refused to give details to the Parliament in this regard. SBP, in a statement here on Wednesday, said during debates on written-off loans arising in print and electronic media certain facts need

to be put on record that would enhance quality of such debates. Thus, enabling viewers/readers to analyze things in true perspective. SBP always provided information on written-off loans to the Parliament. In fact, this information was always available publicly as it was mandatory for banks to disclose, as a part of their Pinancial statements, the names of persons and amounts written off of Rs 500,000 and above every year. The recent demand of information by the

Senate was about the names of borrowers of Rs 5 million or more who obtained loans from a bank during the last Pive years along with the number of cases recovered and waived off. SBP clearly responded that none of the loan was waived off by the concerned bank out of the loans of Rs 5 million or more disbursed during the aforesaid period. Further, information about number of loans disbursed by the bank during the last Pive years and recovery of loans was also fur-

nished to Senate in consolidated form. However, the names of individual borrowers of that bank, who availed loans during last Pive years and no write off involved in these cases were not shared due to legal provisions of Section 33-A of the Banking Companies Ordinance1962 and Section 9 of Protection of Economic Reforms Act 1992 which bar sharing of customers’ individual information. Section 33-A of the Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962,

titled as Fidelity and Secrecy, stipulates that (1) Subject to sub-section (4), every bank and Pinancial institution shall, except as otherwise required by law, observe the practices and usage customary among bankers and, in particular, shall not divulge any information relating to the affairs of its customers except in circumstances in which it is, in accordance with law, practice and usage customary among bankers, necessary or appropriate for a bank to divulge such information.

www.customsbulletin.com

ADVERTISEMENT

5

6

www.customsbulletin.com

SIALKOT SALeeM AwAn SHeikHu www.customsbulletin.com

t

he Customs Collectorate has collected Rs8469.31 millions in terms of customs import, rebate and export duty during the month of November 2016. Sources told Customs Today that the MCC Sialkot has surpassed the revenue collection target under the head of customs duty as compared with the collection of corresponding period amounting to Rs 7.533.02 million.

Sources said that the Sialkot region had collected Rs 27.65 million as customs import duty during November 2016 which is Rs 3.31 million more than collection of the same period of last year, 2015.

Sources said that the MCC Sialkot collected Rs.8293.1 million as export duty whereas the Collectorate issued cheques of rebate amounting to Rs.18.56 million to exporters. Sources said that department was striving hard to achieve revenue collection target under all heads for the running Piscal year 2016-17.

Sources also denied the impression that customs ofPicials received customs duty in advance from importers in order to meet the targets. Sources told the Federal Board 0f Revenue (FBR) has to revise the revenue collection targets sometimes keeping in view the unfavorable circumstances, adding that tax collection was increasing every year due to effective policies of the department. Sources told that the collection of said revenue is much better

by MCC Sialkot during Pirst four months of current Piscal year. Sources told that the staff is doing work to achieve target and the staff will target rather surpass against assigned by the FBR before the ending of current Piscal year 2016-17.

Sources told that the export and import from Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) under MCC Sialkot is increasing day by day and it will much better. Sources told that the MCC Sialkot making good name in collection of

revenue and achieving target. Sources told that the Collector Customs Ahmed Reza Khan and other ofPicers and taking full interest to achieve target whereas fruitful results are observing.

Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate, Sialkot, has collected Rs 4.60 million under the head of customs duty in November of current Piscal year 2016-17. Sources told Customs Today that the department has surpassed the revenue collection target under the head of customs duty whereas it collected Rs2.86 million during the corresponding period of the last year.

Sources told that the Sialkot region has collected Rs 4.60 million as customs duty during November 2016 which is Rs 1.74 million more than the assigned target while during the same period Piscal year 2015 Sialkot Customs collected Rs 1.33 million. Sources added that the department was striving to achieve the t revenue collection target under all heads o k l ia Mcc S for the running Piscal year 2016-17. e h t t r t o tha exp d s i The Federal Board 0f Revenue (FBR) a a s n s lio S o u rc e .1 mil ued has to revise the revenue collection 3 s s 9 i 2 e 8 t . d Rs tora c e t targets sometimes keeping in view e l c l e o l c o col ting t as the the unfavorable circumstances, n e r u e o h m ces te a r a u dut y w adding that tax collection was inb o e S r . rs es of creasing every year due to effective xporte rd e a chequ h o t g ivin llion r i t policies of the department. s m s 6 a 5 w Rs.18.

The collection of said revenue is t a rg e t tment r n a o p i t e at d l much better during Pirst four months collec said th g fisca venue e r e of current Piscal year. Sources told v unnin r e i e h c h t a to that the staff is doing work to achieve ds for 7 ll hea a r e target and they will surpass target asd 016-1 2 un r a e y signed by the FBR before the ending of current Piscal year 2016-17.

www.customsbulletin.com

Saturday, December 17, 2016

7

8

www.customsbulletin.com

Founder & Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Editor Rahil Yasin editor@customsbulletin.com.pk For advertising & subscription marketing@customsbulletin.com.pk www.customsbulletin.com Phones: 042-35781643-4, Fax: 042-35781645 Address: 627, Siddiq Trade Centre, Gulberg, Lahore

eDitoRiAL

Dilemma of pak-iran gas pipeline

t

he proposed $1.35-billion Pakistan Iran gas pipeline project has been passing through various ups and down for the last many years due to internal expediencies and foreign pressures on both the neighbouring countries. Originally, India was also part of the project but backed down from it owing to its inherent opposition to Pakistan.

According to news reports, Pakistan wants to revise the gas prices and also seeks to extend the schedule for the implementation of the project. However, Iran is blaming Islamabad for the delay of the project as the government is unprepared to work out a formula for fresh pricing and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources is still awaiting the official node to start negotiations with its Iranian counterpart. The project has already been delayed after sanctions were imposed on Iran. However, the sanctions have been phasing out for a couple of years but no progress is made on the project. The Petroleum Ministry is awaiting the approval for the last five months to negotiate fresh pricing and draft amendment with Tehran. Under the original agreement between the two countries, the project should have been completed by December 31, 2014 and gas flows should have been started next month, from January 1, 2015. However, the now Pakistan wants to extend the deadline. Due to inordinate delay in the execution of the project, a need arose to revise the gas prices keeping in view the trends in the international market. However, delay in negotiations means there are bleak chances in near future to kick start the project. It is the dilemma of this country that none of the projects completed in time. The delays not only increase the cost of the projects, but also inordinate losses if projects are suspended for an indefinite time. In the current situation, both Pakistani and Iranian officials agree to extend the date for the completion of the project and revise its prices, but even negotiations could not start between the two for one reason or the other. According to Iran, the pipeline segment on its side will be completed in one-and-a-half years but Pakistan is still unclear how it will take to complete the project.

govt must set targets T

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

www.customstoday.com

he Pakistani exports have been experiencing free fall for the last three years and the government is still undecided to take a decision to stop this trend and control the growing trade dePicit. Pakistan is a land of 200 million people who need houses, food, clothes and many many other necessities of life. The demands of the people give impetus to industrial growth and when industry faces overlapping taxes, inconsistent policies, energy crisis and unavailability of raw material, it nosedives. This is what is exactly happening in Pakistan where trade is booming but in-

dustrial output is shrinking, lending opportunities to foreign players to Pill the gap. The Chinese goods are in abundance everywhere in every market. But it could be good argument that Chinese goods are available in every country in the world. However, they would not affect the local industry in anywhere including Pakistan if local industry is supported to face the challenges. The Chinese industrial development should not be taken as rival but an effort should be made to make close business-to-business liaison between entrepreneurs of the two countries. Pakistani entrepreneurs should adopt Chinese technology, but diversiPication is necessary as did Japan during its initial days of industrialization.

Unless the government sets its targets and launches a full-Pledged industrial overhauling programme, there are little chances to create industrial surplus and increase exports. Pakistan is equipped with human and natural resources but their proper use is absent in the government priorities. The stability of the economy would not come through cosmetic steps but realistic approach is required to inspire the industrial activities, generate employment opportunities and increase investment in the production sectors. The Pakistani commercial missions abroad are marred by bureaucratic lethargy and needed to be prodded. The energy situation has also not been improved to comfortable level as yet and this is

a stumbling block in the way of development. Pakistan is traditionally an agrarian economy and cotton is a major product of the country which caters to the need of the textile industry. The textile industry covers 57 percent of the country’s exports. However, the textile exports recorded at $11.625 billion in 2014-15 dropped to $10.3 billion in 201516 as hundreds of textile units have been closed. In contrast, the textile exports of non-cotton countries increased during the same period. Pakistan has lost major markets of its products to the regional competitors. The government has been kept continuing various pressures on the industrialists through various organs of the government machinery.

9

www.customsbulletin.com

Iran crude oil exports to hit 5-month low in Dec TEHRAN: Iran’s crude oil exports in December are set to fall 8 percent from November to a five-month low, a source with knowledge of its preliminary tanker schedule said, as lower shipments to China and others in Asia offset bumper exports to Europe. Iran was exempted from last month’s OPEC deal to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) starting from January, and had been expected to boost its output slightly. But Iran’s December crude exports excluding condensate are set to fall to 1.88 million bpd, from 2.04 million bpd in November, the source familiar with its export situation said. That may be a sign it is having trouble maintaining output after the lifting of sanctions this year led to a surge in production. Exemption from the deal agreed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was a victory for Tehran, which has argued it needs to regain the market share it lost under Western sanctions targetting its nuclear programme.

pSQcA directed to stop sealing factories LAHORE

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

n demand of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Federal Minister of Science and Technology Rana Tanvir Hussain has stopped Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) from sealing industrial units before serving three fortnightl0079 notices.

The LCCI President Abdul Basit had informed the Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanvir Hussain during his visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce of Commerce and Industry that sealing of industrial units is a burning issue and hurting the smooth running of business activities. Federal Minister took a prompt action on the LCCI President’s intimation and Ministry of Science and Technology issued a notification with the signs of the Federal Minister. According to the notifica-

O

tion the PSQCA has been directed to serve three fortnightly notices to the relevant industry. After that in case of non-compliance, stern action like sealing the unit and other appropriate measures would be taken. The notification says that “We have discussed and decided that before taking extreme measures for implementation of quality standards, we should serve three notices to the relevant industry fortnightly. After that in case of non-compliance, we must take stern action like sealing the unit and other appropriate measures. We should proceed accordingly” The LCCI President Abdul Basit welcomed the issuance of notification and said that that timely measure of the Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanvir Hussain would go a long way and certainly reduce the miseries of the business community.

Saturday December 17, 2016

Chambers

grace Shelton urges kcci to play role in strengthening trade relations U

KARACHI

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

S Consul General in Karachi, Ms. Grace W. Shelton has said that Karachi Chamber has a long history of relationships with United States hence, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has to play a role in strengthening trade relations between the two countries. “I want to see economic ties between United States and Pakistan grow deeper and stronger”, she added while exchanging views at a meeting during her visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday. Chairman Businessmen Group and Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, Vice Chairmen BMG Tahir Khaliq and Zubair Motiwala, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI Asif Nisar, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro, Former Presidents KCCI Mian Abrar Ahmed, MNA Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present at the meeting.

US Consul General Grace Shelton assured that her team at US Con-

sulate Karachi will continue to work with Pakistani and US Companies to attract investment and build lasting connections. “The more we work together, the more we can bring jobs both to United States and to Pakistan”, she added.

Stressing the need to enhance people-to-people and business-tobusiness ties, she said that these ties can also affect government-togovernment ties. People-to-people ties are very important as they will improve the perception about Karachi and Pakistan, besides help

in dealing with the issue of travel advisories. She was of the opinion that Karachi was the center of economic energy of Pakistan and its people are always ready for any challenge which was the basic reason why this city is the economic hub of Pakistan, contributing over 60 percent to government’s revenue. She further informed that the Government of Pakistan was planning to hold “Business Opportunities Conference” in Karachi next year within the timeline of April or May 2017 which was staged last year in New York. The

Diplomats to present ‘soft image’ of pakistan in host countries

A

SIALKOT

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

s many as 40 junior diplomats from European, Latin American, African, Middle East, South Asian and Central Asian countries have stressed the need for making sincere efforts to develop business-tobusiness contacts of Sialkot-based businessmen with their counterparts in other countries. They stated this while discussing in details the matters of mutual interest with Sialkot exporters during an important meeting held at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), after visiting several leading industrial units in Sialkot here on Monday. Acting SCCI President Adnan Arshad Sethi presided over the meeting. Sajjad Haider Khan

(Director Pakistan Foreign Service Academy Islamabad) led this delegation of the foreign diplomats. The visiting foreign diplomats also pledged to promote the “soft image” of Pakistan in their respective countries. The foreign diplomats added that the world should focus on broadening the scope of mutual cooperation by extending it to the areas of trade, investment, and energy and infrastructure development with Pakistan. They discussed in details the matters of mutual interest with Sialkot business community. They highly hailed the unique export culture of Sialkot. They also highly appreciated the Sialkot exporters for establishing several mega projects including Sialkot international airport, Sialkot Dry Port Trust, Sialkot Export Processing Zone (EPZ), Sports Industries Development Centre

and now even their own private airline on self help basis. The foreign diplomats were of the view that the Sialkot exporters have set the unique examples of self help, advising the others to replicate these examples as well. On this occasion, the acting SCCI President Adnan Arshad Sethi gave a detailed briePing about the achievements, targets , future goals of the Sialkot exporters and Sialkot’s socioeconomic and human development on self help basis by Sialkot exporters. He told the foreign diplomats that there was a huge scope for establishing joint ventures and business cooperation between their respective countries and Sialkot-Pakistan based companies especially in the Pield of Sports Goods, Surgical Instruments, Leather Products and Information Technology.

event will provide an opportunity to local business people to discuss trade and investment with particular focus on fashion apparel, healthcare, information and communication technology and agriculture. Moreover, an agricultural trade delegation from Pakistan will also be sent to US to attend a big expo in Atlanta from January 30th to February 2nd, 2017 with a theme of “Innovation in the Agriculture”, which will comprise of private sector, federal and provincial ofPicials. She invited KCCI to participate in this expo in order to see the technological advancements in the agriculture business. On the occasion, Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, while briePing the US Consul General about Karachi Chamber’s role and the relentless efforts being made by Businessmen Group since last nearly 20 years, said that the Karachi Chamber has been actively taking up issues with all three tiers of the government including federal, provincial and local governments.

“Karachi has been contributing more than 65 percent revenue to the national exchequer and everything moves across Pakistan from Karachi.

Rwanda reports increase in dairy exports in 2016 wanda’s earnings from export of dairy products increased from $85,000 in 2012 to $11.5 million in 2016, Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Programme II (RDCP II) Impact Report shows. By 2016, according to the report, 78,000 additional litres of milk were being processed per day in Rwanda, helping meet a growing need for milk used in value added products.

This move brought the quantity of milk processed daily to 110,000 litres.

The report was released last week during the closure of dairy programme which ran from 2012 to 2016. The $15 million 5-year programme’s goal, funded by USAID, was to increase competitiveness of Rwandan dairy products in regional markets.—CB Report

R

10

www.customsbulletin.com

Customs Adjudication ADC Beelam adjourns hearing of two cases Saturday December 17, 2016

National tribunal disposes of case against Hijrat khan LAHORE

MuHAMMAD nAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Appellate Tribunal has disposed of the appeal of Collector Customs Sambrial against Hijrat Khan and others. In the final remarks, Chairman Justice (r) Malik Manzoor Hussain said that the amount determined by the tribunal in taxes and duties has been deposited by recipient and accepted by the appellant department, therefore, instant appeal has become in fructuous and the same is disposed of.

As per precise fact of case, on the information, staff of customs anti smuggling model customs collectotorate, Sambrial, was intercepted truck loaded with contraband, on inspection customs staff found smuggled foreign Sofa cloth and lassies. The driver of truck failed to produce any legal document regarding lawful import so, the goods were detained under the relevant provisions of customs act 1969. After issuing show case notice adjudication officer passed the order in original for confiscation of goods and panely of Rs one lak was imposed on Hijrat Khan, truck driver.

T

court orders return of passport, mobile phone to convict ustoms Court of Taxation, AntiSmuggling Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi directed the Investigation Officer (IO) to return the passport and mobile phone of the convicted accused person namely Muhammad Asim son of Aziz-ur-Rahman. Asim was arrested for attempting to smuggle 114 mobile phones worth Rs 1,228,448 into the country. During the hearing, counsel of the accused filed an application and stated that at the time of arrest, his passport and mobile phone were seized at Karachi International Airport by the staff of the customs authorities. Since the accused was declared guilty before this court and the court vide judgment dated 22/11/2016 convicted the accused, since the case.—M Bilal

C

FAISALABAD: Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Beelam ur Ramzan heard two cases of smuggling involving customs duty and taxes worth Rs 5,056,380 forwarded by the Customs Intelligence and investigation Faisalabad.

Sources told Customs Today that Customs Intelligence registered a case of smuggling against suspects. A case was registered against Hassan Munir of Digicom Trading. The accused imported 1,530 Q Mobiles worth Rs 2,283,280 without payment of duty and taxes. Another case was filed against Muhammad Imran who is allegedly involved in smuggling of 12,890 kilograms grey fabric worth Rs 27,73,100.

Deputy collector usman tariq reshuffles 10 employees T

FAISALABAD

nAeeM SHeikH

www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Collectorate Deputy Collector Headquarters Usman Tariq has reshufPled 10 customs employees, including eight inspectors, and two lower division clerks with immediate effect. According to details, the deputy collector transferred Inspector Asif Hussain from Airport to Bond, Audit Cell while Inspector Ghulam Murtaza Anjum has been transferred from Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) Mianwali to Air Freight Unit (AFU). Besides Inspector Mansoor Alam from Import Examination to DTRAE branch and Inspector Asghar Mehdi Naqvi has been transferred at Airport Faisalabad from Audit Cell, Inspector Khalid Ashraf Noor posted at Airport Faisalabad from Anti Smug-

gling Organization. Similarly, Inspector Amir Mumtaz Bajwa and Mujahid has been transferred from recovery branch, ASO to Airport Faisalabad in addition to his existing duty. Whereas, lower division clerks

Zeeshan Dilawar, Muhammad Abrar has been transferred from Export, to AFU Faisalabad with immediate effect. Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement surpassed the revenue target for Pirst

Pive months (July-November), 2016 and collected Rs 4,330.74 million against the assigned revenue collection target of Rs 3,122.10 million.

According to details, the Customs Appraisement collected revenue under the heads of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal excise duty during the period. The Custom Appraisement was assigned Rs 2465 million revenue collection target under the head of sales tax but it surpassed the target by 132 percent and collected Rs 3259.65 million during the said period. While under the head of customs duty, it collected Rs 1016.53 million against the assigned target of Rs 540 million. Customs Appraisement Faisalabad also generated Rs 54.41 million as income tax against the assigned target of Rs 87 million that was achieved up to 63 percent.

Hazara customs collects Rs 208.77m in nov C

ISLAMABAD

tARiQ DeRYA

www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Collectorate Peshawar Hazara Station collected revenue amounting to Rs.208.77 million under all heads of duty and taxes during the month of November 2016-17.

Customs Station Hazara staff outstanding performance during month of November FY2016-17, adding that during the above said period the Customs Station Hazara collected Rs.60.98 million under head of customs duty .

Sources said that during the month of November 2016-17 Hazara Station collected Rs.0.75 million under the head of withholding tax and collected Rs.5.32 million under head of miscellaneous taxes. Sources said that during the month of November FY2016-17 Hazara Station collected revenue under head of redemption duty on imports amounting to Rs.0.35 million as for as Hazara Station collected Rs.67.40 million under head total customs duty. He said that during the month of No-

vember FY2016-17, Hazara Station collected revenue amounting to Rs.95.88 million under head of sales tax and Customs Station Hazara collected revenue amounting to

Rs.38.24 million under head of additional income tax (AIT). Sources adding that during above said period the Hazara collected amounting Rs.7.25 million under head of to-

tal federal excise duty (FED) as for as the said Station collected revenue amounting Rs.208.77 under head of Total Duty and Taxes during month of November FY2016-17.

11

www.customsbulletin.com

Maryam paying taxes on declared assets: Musadik ISLAMABAD: Spokesman to the Prime Minister, Dr Musadik Malik, has said Maryam Safdar is self-independent and paying taxes on her declared assets.

Lawyers of Sharif family had presented documented evidences before the Supreme Court that she was self independent and paying taxes, he said speaking in a TV programme. He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had not presented any documented evidence before the court. Dr Musadik said the discussion was held in the Supreme Court’s proceeding only on evidences presented by Sharif family’s lawyers because PTI lawyers failed to do so. He said PTI had adopted a political strategy to level baseless allegations on the government to do politics in the country.

SRB challenges tribunal’s order for recovery of Rs 1.549b from Al-Abid Silk Mills KARACHI

M BiLAL

www.customsbulletin.com

he Sindh High Court (SHC) adjourned the hearing of an appeal filed by Assistant Commissioner Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) challenging impugned order of the appellate tribunal over recovery notice of Rs 1.549 billion against M/s Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited. A two-member bench, headed

by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing the appeal. Earlier, counsel for the applicant stated that the respondent is engaged in providing or rendering the taxable services in the matter of

T

manufacturing or processing for others in toll basis and failed to get himself registered with the Sindh Revenue Board. Therefore, a issued show cause notice was issued to the respondent on dated June 2, 2016 directing him to register itself with the SBR and pay the Rs 105, 492, 920 in respect of sales tax during the tax period from July 2013 to May 2015. According to the applicant, respondent neither deposited the sales tax nor registered itself e-filed with the Sindh Revenue Board and filed an appeal before the appellate authorities which was dismissed and also uphold the penalty imposed by applicant, however, said respondent approached appellate tribunal which suspended the amount of the penalty illegally and unlawfully. Citing M/S Al-Abid Silk Mills Ltd as respondent, applicant pleaded the court may declare that order of the appellate tribunal is illegaly and unlawful. Applicant also pleaded the SHC may set aside impugned order of the appellate tribunal.

Saturday December 17, 2016

National

peshawar intelligence impounds vehicles, goods T worth Rs 70m in nov

fiA arrests three human traffickers from faisalabad

FAISALABAD

nAeeM SHeikH

www.customsbulletin.com

P

ISLAMABAD

tARiQ DeRYA

www.customsbulletin.com

eshawar Customs Intelligence and Investigation impounded smuggled vehicles and goods worth Rs 70.2 million during November 2016. Customs Intelligence Director Muhammad Saleem said that the department was showing better performance against smuggling following directions of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), adding that the ofPicials were doing work with dedication in order to weed out smuggling. He informed that the Peshawar Customs Intelligence impounded 20 vehicles, being used for smuggling, under Section 157 of the Customs Act, 1969 worth Rs 25.5 million, adding that the department also impounded 13 non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs 18.7 million during the said period. The non-duty paid vehicles were impounded under Section 16 of the Customs Act. The intelligence also seized miscellaneous smuggled goods worth Rs 26 million during different raids in the region and registered 23 cases against smugglers, he further said. It may be

mentioned here that the Peshawar Customs Intelligence seized goods and vehicles worth Rs 24 million during October 2016. Director Saleem further said that in its ongoing cam-

paign against smuggling of narcotics and drugs, the Customs Intelligence was working with other law enforcement agencies jointly to prevent the smuggling through this region.

he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Faisalabad has arrested three notorious human traffickers from different areas of the city.

Sources told Customs Today that antihuman trafficking cell of the agency raided different areas of Faisalabad division and arrested human trafficker, including Tanveer ahmed son of Liaqat Ali. The accused person extorted Rs 295,000 from Muhammad Lateef for sending him to Muscat but he remained failed. Another Nasir Mehmood son of Muhammad Hussain has been arrested on the allegations of extorting Rs 380,000 from a person on promise to send him to Dubai on employment visa but he remained failed. The FIA, after registering a case of human smuggling against him, started investigations while Amir Hussain son of Ghulam Hussain was arrested for receiving Rs 48,500 from one Zohaib Shabbir for providing him an employment in Malaysia. All accused were arrested from different cities of Faisalabad division. The FIA has registered separate cases against the culprits under sections of human smuggling and fraud with citizens.

Laptops, accessories worth Rs 1.5m seized

T

MULTAN

iMRAn ALi

www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Intelligence and Investigation conPiscated smuggled laptops and computer accessories worth Rs 1.5 million during a raid at the Multan Railways Station. According to details, the Customs Intelligence received reliable information from its source that smuggled computer accessories and laptops would be smuggled through a train.

Superintendent Zahid Bukhari formed special team comprising Inspector Malik Muhammad Nasir, Amjad Pervaiz and others for

thwarting smuggling attempt at the railways station. The team raided the Jaffer Express, which was coming from Quetta to Multan.

The ofPicials checked the train and recovered 26 new laptops, 100 hard disks of computer system, i3 computer system and other accessories. The recovered goods were packed in cartons and booked on the name of consignor, Fazal Abbas.

The Customs Intelligence team has taken the laptops and other goods in their custody for their veriPication. During the veriPication of recovered goods from Railway Cargo OfPice Multan, the Customs Intelligence found that the said goods were booked on fake name

for delivery purposes. Therefore, the department seized the recovered goods after veriPication under Customs Act, 1969 and formed seizure report of the captured items. The market value of the seized goods has been estimated at Rs 1.5 million.

Meanwhile, The Customs Intelligence and Investigation has seized non-duty paid vehicles and miscellaneous goods worth Rs 33.3 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 25.9 million during November 2016 during various anti-smuggling activities.

The Multan Customs Intelligence conducted massive crackdown against the smuggled goods on the direction of Director Zeba

Hai in Multan, Sadiqabad and Dera Ghazi Khan. The department formed 24 various seizure cases of non-duty paid vehicles and items during the said period. Six various seizure cases worth Rs 9.3 million were made by Customs Intelligence in the Multan for the duration of November. The department impounded 9 different vehicles, including Toyota Fielder, Suzuki Alto, Toyota Corolla X, Hino Truck along with loaded items and oil tankers filled with 11,000 liters of Iranian diesel worth Rs 15.7 million from Dera Ghazi Khan. As many as seven various seizure cases of Rs 10.70 million were formed in Sadiqabad region.

12

www.customsbulletin.com

Ukraine exports electricity for $138 million in Jan-Nov Saturday December 17, 2016

World

KIEV: Ukraine in January-November 2016 exported electricity worth $137.785 million, in particular in November for $14.497million. According to the State Fiscal Service, electricity delivered to Hungary amounted to $105.039 million for the 11 months, to Poland to $32.392 million, Moldova to $347,000, other countries to $7,000.

In addition, in January-November 2016 Ukraine imported power worth $3.288 million from Russia, $60,000 from Belarus. As reported, Ukraine in January-November 2015 exported electricity for $137.367 million ($11.676 million in November), in particular to Hungary for $132.359 million, Poland for $2.722 million, Slovakia for $1.115 million, and other countries for $1.171 million.

Spanish, Moroccan police seize 5,700 pounds of cocaine

taiwan’s steel scrap imports decline 4% in nov

MADRID

www.customsbulletin.com

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

Vietnam to export bus spare parts to Russia haco’s CEO Tran Ba Duong confirmed that his enterprise now exports auto spare parts and mechanical components. In November Thaco exported three sets of spare bus parts to Russia. If the products are accepted, Thaco will ship the first consignment of 300 sets of bus parts to Russia.

They will be used in vehicles for the World Cup 2018. Do Van Dung, rector of the HCM City University of Technical Education, said that Vietnam has great advantages in labor costs and materials, along with competitive prices. Dung said that Truong Hai has been increasing the locally made content proportion in automobile products for many years.

The manufacturer now can make nearly all the components inside a bus. Vietnamese workers have good skills and are meticulous, especially in making seats and components.—CB Report

T

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt

A

S

panish and Moroccan police seized 5,677 pounds of cocaine and arrested 24 suspects in what ofPicials said was a blow against one of the main drugtrafPicking organizations operating in Europe, Africa, and South America. The seizure was part of an operation that started this summer and saw several failed attempts to interdict shipments sent by the multinational trafPicking ring to Europe from South America. This operation, undertaken by Spanish police and their Moroccan counterparts, took place about 100 miles off the coast of Dakhla, in Western Sahara, over which Morocco has de facto administrative control. After spotting the boat believed to be carrying the drug shipment moving parallel to the coasts of Mauritania and Morocco,

TAIPEI

authorities moved in with a helicopter and two patrol boats. With police closing in, 12 people on board, all of whom were arrested, reportedly began throwing bundles of cocaine overboard. Aboard, authorities also found documents, a satellite phone, and about $10,700. In total, the op-

eration led to the arrest of 18 people in Morocco and six people in Spain, among them two Colombians arrested in Madrid, one of whom was reportedly the leader of the group trying to travel to Colombia, and two Spaniards in Pontevedra, in the northern province of Galicia.

QAiA welcomes over 6.3million passengers since beginning of 2016

A

irport International Group (AIG) has announced that as of the end of October 2016, the Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) has welcomed 6,383,193 passengers, recording a 4.4 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2015. Moreover, year-to-date (YTD) aircraft movements (ACM) increased by 2.9 per cent to settle at 62,553 ACM while YTD cargo trafPic Pigures increased by 2.2 per cent to reach 84,124 tonnes, the AIG, the Jor-

danian company responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of the QAIA said in a statement.

In October this year, 532,542 passengers passed through the QAIA, resulting in an 8 per cent decrease compared to the same period of last year, during which the airport welcomed 578,867 passengers, the statement indicated. Additionally, QAIA registered 5,630 ACM as opposed to 6,129 ACM in 2015, indicating an 8.1 per cent year on year fall.—CB Report

ccording to data published

by Taiwan Customs Department, the country’s scrap imports totaled 220,000 tons during November this year. The imports declined by almost 4% when matched with the imports of 228,000 tons during the previous month. The US accounted for bulk of the monthly scrap imports. The imports from the US totaled nearly 90,000 tons, constituting over 40% of Taiwanese scrap imports during the month.

The second largest exporter was Japan. The country’s scrap imports had totaled 228,000 tons in October. The monthly imports had increased by nearly 6% in comparison with the prior month. The primary source of import during the month was the US. The US scrap exports to Taiwan totaled 128,475

Q

tons, accounting for nearly 57% of total imports. The second largest exporter of scrap to Taiwan during the month was Australia with 20,103 tons. The other key import sources were Russia (12,313 tons) and the UK (7,800 tons). Taiwan had imported 215,000 tons of scrap during the month of September this year.

The imports dropped heavily by almost one-third when matched with the imports of 320,923 tons during the month prior to that. The US accounted for more than half of the monthly scrap imports. The imports from the US totaled nearly 120,000 tons. The other key sources of import were Japan (27,810 tons) and Australia (16,525 tons). It must be noted that the major Taiwanese long steel product manufacturer-Feng Hsin Iron and Steel Co. had decided to increase its scrap purchasing prices for the current week. The scrap buying prices were increased

by NT$300 per ton to range between NT$7,400 per ton and NT$7,900 per ton.

Qatar, german company sign Lng deal

atar and a major German company yesterday signed an LNG deal on the sidelines of the Qatar-German Business Forum. This was announced by the visiting German Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, Matthias Machnig.

The Europe’s largest economy started importing LNG from Qatar after a German energy company, E.ON, which is one of the world’s largest investorowned electric utility service providers, signed a contract in 2013.

The new contract, according the Deputy Minister, was signed by RWE, a German electricity company based in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia,

which is expected to formally start importing Qatari gas from early 2018.

“We want a stronger partnership with Qatar, and this is of great interest for Germany because of economical reasons. We want to deepen and diversify our gas supplies. There is a great opportunity for German companies for working together in a wide range of areas, including energy, infrastructure and many other sectors,” Matthias told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the event organized by Qatari Businessmen’s Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and German Business Council Qatar.—CB Report

greek human smuggling scheme busted

B ATHENS

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

order Patrol agents in Vermont busted a human smuggler who allegedly helped a Greek national cross the Canadian border illegally. Daniel Larmand was arrested on Friday afternoon after he allegedly helped a Greek national en-

ter the U.S. illegally from Canada. A criminal complaint Piled in federal court on Monday revealed that Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) witnessed an older model SUV approach the U.S. border late Friday afternoon, according to information obtained by Breitbart Texas from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ofPicials. The vehicle reportedly stopped just north of the border

and let off a passenger. The passenger then walked across the Canadian/U.S. border near the town of Alburgh, Vermont. RCMP ofPicials notiPied the U.S. Border Patrol who quickly dispatched agents to the area of the suspected illegal crossing.

Within a few minutes, agents located the person walking from the border and detained them. Border Patrol agents determined the illegal alien

was a Greek national and took the person into custody. No other description of the illegal immigrant was given by CBP ofPicials. “The area, located near the United StatesCanada International Boundary, has previously been used by suspects to illegally enter the United States,” Border Patrol Agent Jeffrey Riddell wrote in the criminal complaint obtained by Breitbart Texas.

13

www.customsbulletin.com

Khaldunul Haq reshuffles four customs officials FAISALABAD: Customs Intelligence and Investigation Deputy Director Headquarters Khaldun Ul Haq has transferred four customs employees from Faisalabad and Lahore to Gwadar with Immediate effects and assigned them new duties. The officials include two intelligence officers, one sepoy and one driver. Customs sources told Customs Today that the deputy director transferred of Intelligence Officers (IOs) Naseer Ahmed from Regional Office Faisalabad to Regional Office Gawadar. Besides, Rao Mansoor Elahi (IO) has been posted from Regional Office Lahore to Customs intelligence and investigation Gwadar. Tajamal Haq Driver has been transfer from Regional office Faisalabad to Intelligence Regional Office Gawader.

customs Valuation issues reference values for unpopular key chains

Saturday December 17, 2016

National

‘Ltu legal wing playing vital role to increase revenue’

gujranwala customs intelligence impounds Honda civic worth Rs 2m SIALKOT

KARACHI

wAQAR AHMeD AnSARi

SALeeM AwAn SHeikHu

www.customsbulletin.com

www.customsbulletin.com

irectorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for key chain made of iron and steel (low end unpopular brands only ) This Directorate General has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are of wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded in the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that key chain made of iron and steel (low end / unpopular brands only) falling under PCT headings 7326.9090 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side. This Directorate General, after carefully examining the clearance data also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations. Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the findings of the market surveys.

he Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Gujranwala impounded a non-duty paid Honda Civic car worth Rs 2 million during a raid. Following the strict directions of Customs Intelligence Director General Shaukat Ali, the officers and officials are making good performance to curb smuggling of goods and vehicles, officials said. Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan directed Superintendent Tariq Rqfique and Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Sarwar to constitute a team to impound smuggled vehicles. The officials formed a team under the supervision of Intelligence Officer Syed Majid Raza Shah, comprising Constables Sajid Raza, Mubashir and Boota and others to check vehicles in Sambrial.

The officials checked various vehicles and intercepted a vehicle Honda Civic bearing Registration No VG-792-ICT model 2006. The team asked driver to show documents regarding legal import of the vehicle, but he could not produce the same. Therefore, the officials impounded the vehicle under the customs laws and shifted it to state warehouse. The driver of the vehicle was release after interrogation, besides issuing a notice to owner of the vehicle. It is learnt that the vehicle is owned by a bureaucrat.

T

D

fBR refutes news reports about court case he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has clarified that the reports published in a section of press on Supreme Court proceedings with reference to CIT Sukkur versus M/s Prudential Investment Bank Limited are somewhat exaggerated and convey an erroneous impression. “Reports published in some English and Urdu daily newspapers about proceedings on December 5, 2016 in Supreme Court of Pakistan in a hearing in the case titled CIT Sukkur versus M/s Prudential Investment Bank Limited with reference to proposed disciplinary action against a senior officer are somewhat exaggerated and convey an erroneous impression,” said the FBR statement issued here on Tuesday.—CB Report

T

LAHORE

MuHAMMAD nAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

L

arge Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Additional Commissioner Legal Zone-IV Shahid Sattar has said that legal wing is playing a vital role for increasing revenue under the supervision of FBR. The legal wing defends cases before Commissioner Appeals, Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), High Court (HC) and Supreme Court (SC). During an exclusive interview with Customs Today, Shahid Sattar said that the legal wing is performing through the powers of Sales Tax

Act 1990, Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Federal Excise Duty (FED) Act 2005. Talking about the volume of pending cases Shahid Sattar said that zone-VI forwarded 130 cases in Lahore High Court (LHC), three cases in Supreme Court (SC) and scores of cases in the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) but only few cases in the Federal Tax Ombudsman. He said that behind the tax collection, law always plays an important role as law empowers authorities for tax collection from liable taxpayers. Shahid Sattar said that the work of legal wing starts after audit of taxpayers, if the audit wing Pinds any discrepancy in the case, aggrieved taxpayers Pile the case before the commissioner ap-

peals then legal wing defends the case before commissioner.

Furthermore, if department or taxpayers party does not accept the decision of commissioner appeals then they can Pile case before Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) and legal wing defends the case and if department feels aggrieved then legal wing initiates case before the superior court.

He said that Commissioner Appeals and Tribunal Departmental Representative heard 98 percent cases and legal wing appoints legal adviser to follow case before Lahore High Court (LHC). The lawyers on the panel of FBR are nominated for the case on the basis of experience, seniority and professionalism.

customs values of secondhand clothes, items revised

T

KARACHI

wAQAR AHMeD AnSARi www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of secondhand clothes, shoes and used leather bags, jackets, belts, used toys and kitchen ware etc vide Valuation Ruling No 986/2016 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

Consequent upon representation by M/s. Pakistan Secondhand

Clothing Merchants Association, Karachi and other commercial importers of the said goods for revision of the Valuation Ruling No.836/2016, dated 19-04-2016, an exercise was undertaken to redetermine the customs values of Second Hand Clothing and other used items in terms of Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

Meanwhile, Directorate General of Customs Valuation also issued the reference values for nail cutter / clipper (low end / unpopular brands only)

This Directorate General has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are of wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded in the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that nail cutter / clipper (low end / unpopular brands only) falling under PCT headings 8214.9000 are being assessed at different values and certain trans-

actions are on very low side.

This Directorate General, after carefully examining the clearance data,also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations. Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the findings of the market surveys .This office, therefore, has found that the customs values of key chain iron and steel (low end / unpopular brands only) are nail cutter / clipper (low end / unpopular brands only) China US$3.75.

14

www.customsbulletin.com

PRA seals Rs 24 million defaulter restaurant in Lahore Saturday December 17, 2016

Lahore

LAHORE: The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has sealed a restaurant and issued warning to another for defaulting on sales tax worth million of rupees but reopened the restaurant after receiving cheaques of the outstanding amount.

According to sources of Customs Today that Punjab Revenue Authority team led by Assistant Commissioner Altaf Husain first sealed a famous restaurant in Liberty Market Gulberg and issued a warning to its Johar Town branch for defaulting on Rs24 million.

Sources said the team also sealed Faisal Town and Iqbal Town branches of Namak Restaurant after their cheaques worth Rs600,000 were declared bounce from the bank.

customs court rejects bail plea of two female smugglers LAHORE

M iMRAn MeHAR

www.customsbulletin.com

T

he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has rejected the post arrest bail plea of two female suspects allegedly involved in smuggling of 14kg gold and currency from Multan International Airport.

The customs authorities at Multan International airport recovered 14kg gold wearing both females in their hands in shape of ornaments along with 39,000 Saudi riyals and United Arab Emirates dirhams. The Multan Customs had seized the gold and foreign currency of worth approximately Rs 64.6 million and lodged an FIR against both the women on the charges of smuggling and money laundering. Previous

customs ASo seizes Rs 2m illegally imported mobiles from Ravi toll plaza ustoms Anti-Smuggling Organization has seized Rs 2 million illegally imported smart mobile phones from Ravi Toll Plaza, Lahore. Official sources said that on information Customs ASO led by Superintendent Waqar Chemea under the supervision of Deputy Collector Asim Awan intercepted a vehicle and recovered assorted brands of Samsung, Iphones, HTC, LG, Samsung tablets , Soft Black mobiles and others. The sources said that the vehicle was being driven by one Rizwan Amin son of Amin who failed to produce any documents of legal import when he was asked by Inspector Sajjad Bukhari. The customs authorities after being fully satisfied that the mobiles were illegally brought in to the city without legal documentation impounded the all mobile and registered a case. —M Hayat

C

Customs Special Judge Chaudhry Ameer Muhammad Khan Pirst approved their physical remand and then sent them to jail on judicial trial.

Both arrested females are in jail for their judicial trial and the court has rejected their bail plea. Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-smuggling has rejected the bail plea of a suspect, Muhammad Sarwar, who was arrested at Sialkot International Airport. Sources told Customs Today that the accused, who was travelling from South Africa to Sialkot, was checked by the customs ofPicials at Sialkot airport. The Customs team found 30 costly mobile phones from his baggage. The Customs team arrested the accused and presented him before customs court for physical remand but customs judge denied the request of customs investigation team for physical remand and send him to jail for judicial trial.

customs inteligence impounds luxury vehicles worth Rs 20m

LAHORE

M HAYAt

www.customsbulletin.com

C

ustoms Intelligence and Investigation team on Monday impounded four non-customs paid luxury vehicles worth Rs 20 million from various localities in

nAB arrests accused involved in Rs 251 million scam

T

he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested an accused who is involved in cheating public at large. According to NAB sources Director General National Accountability Bureau received complaints that a person namely Abdul Waheed Khan extorted huge amount from different people on promise that they will be paid high proPit. Sources said that the accused extorted around worth Rs. 251 million from different peoples. The accused persons Abdul Waheed Khan and his

brother Abid Nadeem were running a fake business with the name of M/s Allied International Money Changer Blue Area Islamabad and business of CNG Stations in different cities of Pakistan. Thus both the accused persons lured general public on the promise that they would be paid high proPit on their investment. After the completion of inquiry, Director General NAB has ordered to freeze the assets worth millions of rupees of the accused Abdul Waheed Khan and his dependents.—M Imran Mehar

Lahore, sources told Customs Today.

The sources said that on the directions of the Director Zeba Hai Azhar, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation has intensiPied operations against illegally imported vehicles. The sources said that following the directions the customs car cell intercepted four luxury non-customs paid which includes Land Cruiser, one Parado, one Mercedes,

T

and one Premio car from various localities. The sources said that the total value of the four vehicles have been determined at Rs 20 million while all chassis of these vehicles was found as tampered and welded.

The customs ofPicials said that the director has appreciated the customs car cell ofPicials urging them to do more and adopt zero tolerance against the owners of smuggled cars being used in the city. The sources said that the director strictly ordered the car cell customs ofPicials to work without any pressure and do take legal action against anyone involved in the illegal business of smuggling of vehicles and other non-customs paid items. The sources added that since the Director Zeba Hai Azhar has assumed charge as director Customs Intelligence and Investigation a number of valuable seizures of noncustoms paid items were under taken that proved helpful in creating deterrence against the illegal activities of smuggling.

Bid to smuggle Rs 1.3m indian currency foiled he impact of currency crisis in India have also made ways in Pakistan as the people involved in the business of illegal currency have started struggling to exchange their Indian black money with them and the Customs Preventive authorities deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport has seized Rs 1.3 million Indian currency notes which an accused was carrying with him to exchange them via Dubai. The sources said that in the backdrops of the currency crisis, Pakistan Customs has also evolved a comprehensive strategy to nab the elements involved in the illegal cur-

rency business. The sources said that on suspicion the Customs Preventive team deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport intercepted a passenger who wanted to leave for Dubai and from him recovered Rs 13, 49,500 which when converted into Pakistan currency made Rs 20,24,250. The customs authorities impounding the currency arrested the accused Ejaz Hussein son of Anwar Hussein of Multan Road Lahore. The sources said that the customs authorities after registering case against the accused have started further investigations. —M Hayat

customs Appellate tribunal adjourns hearing of all cases

T

LAHORE

MuHAMMAD nAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Appellate Tribunal division bench-II comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Technical Member Imran Tariq heard 10 cases and adjourned all the cases until the next date of hearing. The Customs Appel-

late Tribunal adjourned 10 cases, including Uch Power against directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan unit Sadiqabad, Khalin versus directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore, Zahid Jee Textile versus Customs Faisalabad, Abdul Mannan versus Customs Multan, Muhammad Yaqoob Aqeel versus directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan. On Tuesday,

the tribunal heard cases, including Muhammad Latif versus directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad, Ali Shan versus customs Multan, Customs Lahore versus Shaukat Khanum and Kashif Malik versus Customs Multan. Meanwhile, the tribunal on Monday heard thirteen cases including directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore versus Tawaz Khan, directorate

of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore versus Gulzar Khan, Aamir Shahzad versus Customs Faisalabad, Maxi Inch versus Valuation Lahore, Excel Pakistan versus Customs Faisalabad, Jan Muhammad versus Customs Lahore. Furthermore, the tribunal heard cases of Sky International versus Customs Lahore, Muhammad Shahban versus Customs Faisalabad.

15

www.customsbulletin.com

NYK Ports acquires share of NYNJ’s largest terminal WASHINGTON: Together with Macquarie Infrastructure Partners III (MIP III), NYK Ports, NYK’s subsidiary company, has invested in Maher Terminals, acquiring a 20-percent share of the company. Maher Terminals operates a terminal in the port of New York and New Jersey. MIP III is a diversified fund that focuses on investments in infrastructure and related assets in the U.S. and Canada.

The port of New York and New Jersey, centered in the largest consumer market in the United States, handles the most containers of any port on the east coast of North America. Maher is the largest terminal in the port with a handling capacity of 3.0 million TEUs annually.

Bridgetown port’s mural project should be replicated at airport ithin the next two months or so, eight local artists will paint their impressions of Barbados over the last 50 years, on the doors of the home-porting sheds in the Bridgetown Port, as an added attraction for cruise ship passengers.

During a Mural Commissioning Ceremony held at the Barbados Port Inc. on Friday to celebrate the selection of the eight artists, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy not only endorsed the initiative, but made a call for a similar project to be brought on stream at the Grantley Adams International Airport. “I am actually very thrilled by this project. I am a big believer and supporter of our local artists and

W

I think it is wonderful they are having an opportunity to express their creativity …at one of the entrances to our nation and in fact, one of only two, I should say, serious front doors that we have, in terms of greeting people when they come here,” the Tourism Minister remarked. “I have very strong views that our artists provide for us a very real opportunity to tell our story, in a way that can only assist in contributing to the warmness of the welcome that we are looking for, as a tourism destination. So this project is extremely good and meaningful,” he added.

Pointing out that chief executive officer of the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA), Dr. Kerry Hall, is leading a similar project for the airport, Minister Sealy told Dr. Hall who was present, that he hoped that the Port’s mural commissioning would serve to offer “some encouragement and some enthusiasm” to get the airport project going.—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

oakland’s trapac terminal mandates cargo appointments WASHINGTON

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

A

third marine terminal operator wants truckers to make appointments before picking up cargo at the Port of Oakland, ofPicials at the California port said Dec. 1. Wilmington, Calif.-based TraPac announced it was requiring appointments for all import container pick-ups as of Dec. 6. TraPac said the appointment system will reduce waiting times by more evenly distributing truck arrivals throughout each day. TraPac becomes the third of four terminals in Oakland to require appointments — the others are Everport and Oakland International Container Terminal. Combined, they handle more than 90% of the containerized cargo moving through Oakland.

Port of Oakland maritime director John Driscoll praised TraPac for making the change. “It’s not easy introducing new operating procedures, but customers and harbor truckers benePit whenever we can

speed up container throughput,” he said in a news release. Oakland is one of only a handful of ports nationwide with an appointment system. Oakland port ofPicials say appointments are seen as essential to accelerating cargo Plow at ports coping with bigger ships and growing container volumes.

TraPac said truck dispatchers can log on to the nationwide port information system eModal to make appointments. The company

said the requirement for appointments applies for the present only to loaded import containers. TraPac said truck drivers won’t need reservations for export deliveries or to pick up or return empty containers. It said it will communicate “well in advance” when it plans to expand appointments to all transactions. Appointments are the second measure implemented at TraPac this fall intended to improve terminal performance.

Saturday December 17, 2016

port of columbia helps to grow area’s economy s a new contributor to the Business Monthly, I’d like to start out by introducing you to the Port of Columbia. Our Port District was formed in 1958 with an eye toward potential new grain shipping opportunities on the Snake River as the dams were being constructed, as well as other transportation and industrial development possibilities. A subcommittee of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce proposed the new district and put it to a vote of the people. It passed 1,260 for to 316 against. Since that time, the Port district has created an important economic footprint in our county, evolving with the times to try and serve the changing needs in our rural community. In the early years, property adjacent to the Snake River was acquired and then sold for the development of the Lyons Ferry Grain Terminal, where to this day barges are still loaded with grain and shipped down the river. The Port played an important role in facilitating this development by working with what was called the Lower Snake River Ports.—CB Report

A

ports of Auckland announces hub plans P

WASHINGTON

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

orts of Auckland in New Zealand will start construction on the Waikato Freight Hub, an inland port at Horotiu, north of Hamilton, with a new bridge connecting the existing road network to the Golden Triangle, New Zealand’s fastest growing region.

The Waikato Freight Hub project, expected to start early next year, aims to be complete the Pirst freight handling facilities for late 2017 or early 2018. The construction of the bridge will connect the Waikato Freight Hub to New Zealand’s two largest ports, the lower North Island, and three of the country’s Pive largest cities. Waikato Freight Hub will be connected by rail to Ports of Auckland existing hubs at Wiri, South Auckland, Mount Maunganui and Longburn, Manawatu. It is ex-

pected to generate around 300 jobs directly and facilitate many thousands more by acting as an economic catalyst. Ports of Auckland has already had signiPicant interest from cargo owners in using the site. Ports of Auckland will work with Tainui and other community stakeholders to help ensure that local people benePit directly from the economic development taking place in their area.

Fulton Hogan, an infrastructure and construction company, has been awarded the Pirst stage of the contract to level the site. Other contracts will be made available such as the provision of solar power paired with an energy storage to provide 24/7 renewable energy to the site. Plans also include LED lighting and other energy efPicient technology. Ports of Auckland have stated that by creating a network of freight hubs across the North Island and by partnering with Napier Port, it will be able to

keep freight costs down and offer access to a wider range of shipping services to North Island exporters and importers. The development plans will be welcomed by New Zealand’s importers and exporters, which are currently under pressure to keep cargo moving after the November 14 earthquake closed Wellington’s container terminal. It predicts that this “more efPicient supply chain” will make its goods more competitive overseas and make imports cheaper, with jobs created for New Zealanders and lower costs for consumers. The hub will be built with sustainability in mind and will include features that enhance the local environment. Over four hectares of the 33 hectare site will be planted with natives providing habitat for long-tailed bats, copper skink, morepork/ruru and bell bird/korimako. Improvements to a stream on site may benePit indigenous fresh-

water species such as koura, longPin eel and smelt. Development in the sector may see future changes as John Key today resigned as New Zealand’s Prime Minister after eight years in a move that shocked the country. Meanwhile, But the groundbreaking of the Pirst piece of that development is not moving us toward that cleaner future. Not yet. The developer, Prologis, has yet to lay out an air-quality plan for the operations of the distribution center that is kicking off development of the Oakland Global Trade and Logistics Center.

The distribution center will include 250,000 square feet for cargo, bringing a Plood of new trucks rumbling through West Oakland. Construction plans include 55 truck docks and 78 truck trailer parking stalls. How will that affect the air we breathe? While I wish I could lay out numbers on the diesel pollution we can expect to experience.

16

www.customsbulletin.com

Mianwali ASO impounds Toyota Vitz car worth Rs 919,741 FAISALABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Mianwali has impounded a Toyota Vitz car worth Rs9,19,741 while its duty tax value is Rs469,741. Sources told Customs Today that ASO Mianwali Additional Collector Saeed Asad received information regarding smuggling of above said vehicle. On this he constituted an Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) team comprising Deputy Collector Rizwan khan, Suprintendent Choudhary Muhammad Sardar and Inspector Azhar Hussain Jafri, Muhammad Omar Bhatti, and Sepoys Muhammad yousaf, Muhammad Abdullah, Faiz Ahmed, Muhammad Feroz and Sher Ahmed Sepoys.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Hyderabad ASo seizes cigarettes, vehicle worth Rs 2 million HYDERABAD ASLAM AnJuM QuReSHi www.customsbulletin.com

T

he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) conPiscated smuggled cigarettes and Toyota Corolla worth Rs 2 million during raid in Sukkur division. As per the details, Hyderabad Customs Collector Dr. Agha Shahid Majeed received credible information about smuggling of foreign origin smuggled cigarettes through a car. After receiving the tip off, he immediately formed a raiding party under the supervision of Additional Collector Rehmatullah Vistro.

The team intercepted a vehicle, Toyota Corolla bearing Registration No AUS-411 model 2010 at a check post near Sukkur division and recovered foreign origin cigarettes.

The ofPicials asked the driver to show documents regarding legal import and lawful possession of the recovered items, but he could not produce the same.

Therefore, the ofPicials conPiscated the items under the customs law, besides impounding the vehicle being used for smuggling. The seized items have been shifted to Sukkur Warehouse, while case has

been submitted to the Customs Adjudication for further proceedings.

The customs will present the said item for auction, if case is decided in

favour of the department.

The ASO team comprising, Assistant Collector Zam Zam Aman, Superintendent Shabbir Phalphotu, in-

spectors and others participated in the action carried out against the smuggling. OfPicials said that efforts were being made to curb smuggling

in the region, adding that surveillance has been enhanced on roads to keep an eye on smuggling of nonduty paid items and vehicles.

custom court extends remand of Rs 6.11m tax ‘evader’ KARACHI

M BiLAL

www.customsbulletin.com

C

ustoms Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi extended the physical remand of a suspect, Faraz, until December 9, 2016. Faraz was arrested in a sales tax evasion case of Rs 6.118 million. During the hearing, Assistant Commissioner Inland Revenue Imran Falak Sher

produced the suspect, proprietor of Chester Bernard and Co, before the court. The investigation ofPicer informed the court that the accused is registered person but is knowingly Piling nil monthly returns in order to evade sales tax liability which directly comes under the ambit of tax fraud as per section 2 (37) of the sales tax act, 1990. In this way the accused along with others persons have caused loss to the national exchequer to the tune of Rs 6.11 million, he said. He further argued that after the formalities, a case was registered against accused

and others under section 2 (37) of the sales tax act, 1990 read with SRO 1125 (1)/2011 dated 31/12/2011 and the provisions of section 2(9) 2 (37), 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 22, 23, 26, 38, 73 of the sales tax act, 1990 and others. The investigation ofPicer submitted that the Customs Department needs to further probe the case and arrest the others. After the arguments, the court granted his request and sent the accused on physical remand. The court also directed the investigation ofPicer to produce him on the hearing along with progress report.

Meanwhile, Customs Court of Taxation, Anti-Smuggling Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi directed the Investigation OfPicer (IO) to return the passport and mobile phone of the convicted accused person namely Muhammad Asim son of Aziz-ur-Rahman. Asim was arrested for attempting to smuggle 114 mobile phones worth Rs 1,228,448 into the country.

During the hearing, counsel of the accused Piled an application and stated that at the time of arrest, his passport and mobile phone were seized at Karachi International Airport by the staff of

Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,off I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

the customs authorities. Since the accused was declared guilty before this court and the court vide judgment dated 22/11/2016 convicted the accused, since the case has been decided, the seized passport and mobile phone are no more required by the prosecution as the same are not the case property.

He prayed the court may direct the investigation ofPicer to release the passport and mobile phone to the applicant. It needs to be pertained here that on last date of hearing, court had awarded 20 days imprisonment and Rs. One lac Pine to above named accused person.