May 24 layout 1 by customs bulletin

Daily on www.customsbulletin.com

Find us on

pAkiSTAnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S firST inDepTH newSpAper on cuSToMS

Daily

ABC Certified

Karachi, Wed May 24, 2017

LAHORE

M HAYAT

www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Preventive team deputed at General Post OfPice (GPO) successfully conPiscated 480 gram Pine quality cocaine from a parcel which was booked from Peru. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Customs Preventive Chaudhary ZulPiqar

Ali received credible information about smuggling of narcotics through parcels. He directed Deputy Collector Customs GPO Palwasha Syed to take all necessary measures to foil these attempts. Deputy collector constituted a team comprising Superintendent Nayyer Sultan, Deputy Superintendent Javed Iqbal, Shah Nawaz Langrial, Irfan Leghari and Inspector Ghulam Hussain to check all parcels which

Vol 2, Issue No. 141

Price Rs. 14.00

are being recieved foreign countries. During checking of these parcels the team noticed a suspicious parcel bearing no: 616/05/2017 which was booked from Peru. The parcel was Pilled with ready made garments and two Plasks. When Customs team opened the bottles of Plasks they found 480 grams of Pine quality heroin which was very tactfully hidden inside the bottles of Plasks.

Customs Exports gets Rs636.52 million income in first 15 days of May

Govt utilizing all channels for promotion of trade: Commerce minister

Fertilizer manufacturers call on Ishaq Dar

PCA detects duty, tax evasion of Rs 41,965 by M/s Mani Enterprises

Customs car cell detains NDP Toyota Land Cruiser worth Rs 7.8 million

The Customs Exports Section of the AFU Islamabad earned Rs 636.52 million | See pAge 02 |

Dastgir has said that govt was utilizing all channels for the promotion of trade | See pAge 03 |

A delegation of the fertilizer manufacturers called on Dar | See pAge 04 |

Directorate of PCA has summoned M/s Mani Enterprises in duty and tax evasion | See pAge 14 |

The special car cell of the DG Customs I&I has detained a NDPToyota Land Cruiser | See pAge 16 |

www.customsbulletin.com

Fifteen-day prison for smuggler of 350 live tortoises Wednesday, May 24, 2017

National

KARACHI: Customs Taxation & Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi awarded a 15-day imprisonment and Rs50000 fine on accused Baz Muhammad S/o Dost Muhammad on pleading guilty. He was booked in a case of attempting to smuggle 350 live tortoises (said to be Central Asian Tortoise of Afghan Tortoise “Testudo Horsfieldi”) valued of Rs1750000. During the hearing, abovementioned accused appeared before the court along with his counsel who moved an application for pleading guilty. After the arguments, court awarded the 15-day imprisonment (already undergone period) and imposed a fine of Rs50000 on him.

customs exports gets rs636.52 million income in first 15 days of May

Mianwali ASo impounds nDp vehicle priced rs01.5 million FAISALABAD

ISLAMABAD

TAriQ DerYA

nAeeM SHeikH

he anti-smuggling organization (ASO) Mianwali impounded a non-duty-paid Toyota Corolla worth Rs01.5million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs764096 under the Customs Act-1969. Deputy Collector Rana Falik Shair received a tip-oﬀ regarding the nonduty-paid vehicle. He formed a team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Sardar Muhammad, Muhammad Umar Bhatti, Azhar Hussain Jafari, driver Riasat Hussain, Sepoys Muhammad Ashraf, Faiz Ahmad, Riaz Ahmad and Muhammad Yousaf. The team intercepted a vehicle with registration No: AAH-082 (Quetta) Toyota Corolla motor car near toll plaza, M.M Road, district Mainwali, and asked Abdus Smad Khan Kakir son of Mehboob Khan Kakir (owner) for documents of the vehicle but he failed to produce the lawful proof of its registration. He only supplied the registration page of vehicle in his defence. He further informed the authorities that he purchased the vehicle from Quetta. The registration page was found bogus so the vehicle seized under Section 168 of the Customs Act-1969 for further verification and lab test.

www.customsbulletin.com

www.customsbulletin.com he Customs Exports Section of the AFU Islamabad earned Rs 636.52 million during 15 days (1st May to 15th May) of Financial Year 2016-17 while it cleared export consignments of 1233 Goods Declarations (GDs). According to Deputy Collector Tahir Khattak that mango season will start at end of May FY2016-17 whereas exports of leather, surgical goods and meat are on the peak. During said period of 15 days, the AFU earned handsome business from both sides as the Export Department processed 1029 GDs through WeBOC while it did 164 GDs through One Customs. During the Pirst 15 days of April FY16-17, the Exports Section earned business of Rs 839.567 million under both heads of WeBOC and One Customs. The performance of Exports Section remained above expectation during the Pirst 15 days of April since the Exports Section processed 936 GDs whereas the Export Section did 783 GDs through WeBOC and 143 GDs processed by One Customs. The Exports Section received business through WeBOC valued Rs 839.097 million and through One Customs it got business valued Rs 2.5 million. Regarding the performance of the Pirst 09 months (July to March)

FY2016-17, Dr. Tahir said the Exports Section entertained about 19,002 Goods Declarations (GDs). The main goods exported to different European and Middle East countries comprise textile fabrics, fresh fruits and vegetables, leather goods, surgical instruments and sports goods. He added that the GD Registration Section recorded 08 to 10 GDs on daily basis.

During the Pirst nine months of FY2016-17, the exports of textile garments were on the rise as compared to other items. Out of the total consignments, above 50% earning consists of textile fabrics and garments. He further said the Customs Exports Section of the AFU entertained Rs 14963.85 million of export business during seven months from July to January FY16-17. The

AFU Exports Section processed 16,618 Goods Declarations during seven months from July to January. The Customs Exports Section of the AFU received more exports business of Rs 3.77 million than allocated target for January 2017. During January FY2016-17, the Exports Section of AFU generated collection of Rs 1775.81 million against set target of Rs 1708.78 million.

‘oﬃcers’ training on modern lines is nAB top priority’ N

ISLAMABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry has said that training of NAB ofPicers on modern lines is our top priority. He said that NAB has selected best out of best ofPicers. He said these remarks while reviewing the latest progress on the training of newly selected NAB investigation ofPicers which are

under training at Police Training College, Sihala, says a press release. He said that to maintain transparency, merit and fair play, the selection of newly selected Investigation ofPicers of NAB was outsourced to the National Testing Service (NTS) who conducted academic as well as psychological tests. He said that 94,165 applications were received in response to Advertisement. 80,377 candidates were shortlisted for 97 posts. It was a gigantic task to select the best out of

the huge lot. He said that not a single safarish was entertained during the entire process of selection. NAB as an Organization has its moto of ‘Say NO to Corruption.’ We cannot afford the slightest indication of any subjectivity. He said that only those who are selected on their own merit will be able to do Justice to the job that they are assigned. This has been the hallmark of our work and it shall continue. He said that NAB is committed to eradicate corruption in all its forms

and manifestations. Corruption has a negative impact on development and prosperity of the country. NAB personnel follow a strict code of ethics & conduct and a zero tolerance policy against corruption is strictly enforced. NAB has adopted the Enforcement based approach in the Pight against corruption. NAB accords high priority to cases of cheating public at large which is a serious offence under NAO. Many Pinancial scams involving plundering hard earned income &

savings of people at large have been pursued by NAB, with the goal to recover the looted money and return the same to the rightful owners. Double Shah Scam, Cooperative Societies Scam, Fake Housing Authorities Scam & Modarabas are only a few to be named. NAB has not only recovered looted money of effectees of cheating public at large and returned with the approval of the respective Accountability Courts to innocent people publically.

www.customsbulletin.com

FBR, FPCCI agree not to audit final tax payment KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has agreed not to select cases for audit where tax is fully paid and falling under the final tax regime. This agreement came at a meeting of the FBR officials with the representatives of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Karachi. FPCCI Committee on FBR Chairman Shakeel Dhingrah said that the revenue authority had agreed that it will not conduct audit where payment is full and final. After this agreement, the FBR will not audit in cases such as commercial importer, salaried persons, indenters, rental income, he added.

fiA starts investigating nawabshah university scam

Wednesday May 24, 2017

National

govt utilizing all channels for promotion of trade: commerce minister

SUKKAR

M iMrAn MeHAr

www.customsbulletin.com

ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) has started the inquiry of a fraud of millions of rupees allegedly done by officials of Quaide-Awam Engineering University, Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazir Abad). According to an official letter of FIA Deputy Director (Sukkur), the agency has been appointed an inquiry officer in the matter. President of university workers’ welfare body, Haji Allhawarayo Chandio, in his written application along with documentary evidences, copies of which are available with The News, requested FIA authorities for impartial investigation regarding the alleged fraud.

nA body proposes zero-rating regime for dairy sector ISLAMABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

he National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance has recommended that dairy sector should be considered on zero-rating tax regime instead of exemption from tax in the upcoming budget for next financial year. The committee, which met under the chair of Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh, also discussed the challenges to local wire and cables manufacturers and supported the view point of the local cable industry. The committee strongly recommended that local wire and cables manufacturers should be considered in zero-rated tax net. The committee further recommended that proposal received from cables sector should be sent to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for further consideration.

SIALKOT

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ederal Commerce Minister Eng. Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that government was utilizing all channels for the promotion of trade and commerce activities in the country. In this regard business community across the country was being motivated to explore new venues for introducing Pakistani products in unexplored international market,he said. Addressing the members of Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PSGMEA) and other trade bodies,he said special attention was being given to resolving the problems confronting exporters.”We could enhance exports by capturing new markets and with the production of quality goods.” The Minister said the management of PayPal and Ali Baba will soon visit Pakistan to discuss certain issues with the government. He said the railway system was being upgraded to facilitate general public and cater future needs of the country. He said commercial ofPicers had been appointed purely on merit and hoped they will help in enhancing export volume of the country. Power and gas supplies to industrial sector is the top priority of the government, he said, adding that as compared to past years the situation of electricity has im-

proved.”This is the result of present government’s initiatives”, he said. Commerce Minister disclosed that E-Commerce system would soon be introduced in the country to facilitate the business community, adding that it will be launched after reviewing different aspects and legislation. Earlier,in his address of welcome Chairman PSGMEA Khurram Aslam highlighted various problems being faced by the ex-

Dastgir the railway system was being upgraded to facilitate general public and cater future needs of the country. He said commercial oﬃcers had been appointed purely on merit and hoped they will help in enhancing export volume of the country

rTo Sahiwal to start operations from July 1

MULTAN

iMrAn ALi

www.customsbulletin.com he Federal Board of Revenue will establish new Regional Tax OfPice in Sahiwal from 1st July of the Piscal year 2017-18. The Federal Board of Revenue has decided to bring important changes in the Regional Tax OfPice Mutlan jurisdiction by forming new Regional Tax OfPice in Sahiwal. It is important to mention that Sahiwal is one of the main tax col-

lection Zone of Regional Tax Office Multan and it will be separated from Regional Tax Office Multan after the end of the on-going fiscal year 2016-17.The present staff of the Sahiwal Zone will deputed along with new recruited officers in Regional Tax Office Sahiwal. The Federal Board of Revenue has taken this initiative to broaden the tax revenue because Sahiwal Zone is crucial in the jurisdiction for the collection of taxes. The Federal Board of Revenue

has finalized all arrangements for setting up of new Regional Tax Office in Sahiwal area. The old building of the Regional Tax Office Multan Sahiwal Zone will be given status of Regional Tax Office Sahiwal for its operations. The Federal Board of Revenue has completed their homework for setting up Regional Tax Office Sahiwal and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Dr. Muhammad Irshad has also given approval for the formation of RTO Sahiwal.

porters of Sialkot. Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan has said that present government was working on many energy projects to meet growing demand in the country. Talking to a private news channel, he said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), government after coming into power had taken initiatives and focused on energy projects.

fiA detains man for defrauding ederal Investigation Agency (FIA),Faisalabad team has arrested a man on the charges of defrauding a citizen. According to an FIA spokesman, accused Naqash Raza,resident of Islamabad Chak Jhumra Faisalabad,received Rs 350,000 from the complainant Mst Mussarat Sultan,of Faisalabad,for bogus promise of employment in Malaysia.

www.customsbulletin.com

SBP issues updated version of Foreign Exchange Manual 2017 Wednesday May 24, 2017

Business

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Friday issued updated version of Foreign Exchange Manual-2017 in order to facilitate the stakeholders including Authorized Dealers (Banks), exporters, importers, travel agents, carriers, etc. A statement here said that the SBP keeps on issuing updated Foreign Exchange Manual from time to time. Last such version of the Manual was issued in May, 2016. Since issuance of the updated Foreign Exchange Manual in 2016, several changes/amendments in the foreign exchange regulations have been made.

fertilizer manufacturers call on Dar ISLAMABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

delegation of the fertilizer manufacturers called on Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The delegation presented budget-related proposals and taxrelated matters of the fertilizer sector to the Pinance minister, which were thoroughly deliberated upon during the meeting, said a Pinance minister press release. The Pinance minister said the government would accord due consideration to the fertilizer manufacturers’ proposals. The government was already undertaking extensive

AJk, gB claim share in federal tax pool ISLAMABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

eads of two autonomous regions in the country have lodged a protest over ‘injustice’being meted out to them by the four federating units, saying “for the sake of Pakistan they submerged their villages to build dams while the federating units are not ready to construct the Kalabagh dam”. In a meeting of the National Economic Council, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider spoke about the problems that his special region was facing due to lack of financial resources and cold shoulder given by the federating units.

consultations with all stakeholders during the budget preparations, in line with its tradition during the last four years, he added. He urged the manufacturers to ensure adequate supply of urea and DAP for the farmers during

the ongoing Kharif season. He highlighted the cash subsidy the government was providing on urea in order to provide relief to the farmers and to support the country’s agriculture sector. He also highlighted the 5.28%

gross domestic product growth rate achieved by Pakistan during FY 2016-17, which was a ten-year high. The agriculture sector, he said, had received a major boost from the government’s agriculture package. He further highlighted that the agriculture sector had grown by 3.46% in FY 2016-17 showing a marked improvement compared to FY 2015-16. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan, Finance Secretary, Secretary EAD and senior ofPicials of the Ministry of Finance and EAD also participated in the meeting. The fertilizer manufacturers’ delegation included representatives of ENGRO, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim, Fatima Fertilizer Company, AGVEN and United Agro Chemicals.

cM terms cpec a wonderful project of development, prosperity P

LAHORE

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

unjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a wonderful project of development and prosperity. He was talking to the public representatives here on Friday. He said that China had been investing billions of dollars in Pakistan under the CPEC project, and added that he was thankful to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Keqiang,

and the people of China, for the wonderful uplift package. CPEC is such a great gift of great friend China to Pakistan which the people of Pakistan cannot forget ever, he added. The investment made under CPEC has helped boost bilateral relations between the two countries and a new era of economic cooperation between Pakistan and China has begun. He said that work is continuing on CPEC-related projects in Pakistan with full zeal. The world is surprised at the speedy completion of projects in Pakistan. CPEC is a game-changer in the real

sense, which will not only benePit Pakistan but the whole region. The completion of the project would usher in new age of development and prosperity in the region. CPEC has opened the doors on foreign investment in Pakistan. Billions of rupees of investment has created new job opportunities for lakhs of people. He said that speedy completion of CPEC project is his priority as these projects will change the destiny of the nation. He said that CPEC had emerged as an immortal reality and projects were being initiated in the whole of the country under it.

weekly inflation witnesses nominal increase ISLAMABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

he weekly inflation for the week ended for the combined income groups witnessed nominal increase of 0.06 percent as compared to the previous week. According to the data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week under review in the above mentioned group was recorded at 220.61 points against 220.47 points last week. As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 2.77 per cent. The weekly SPI has been computed with base 2007, 2008=100, covering 17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups. However, the SPI for the lowest income group up to Rs 8,000 decreased by 0.02 percent as it went down from 209.49 points in the previous week to 209.44 points in the week under review. As compared to the last week, the SPI for the income groups from Rs 8001 to 12,000, Rs 12,001 to 18,000, Rs 18,001 to 35,000 and above Rs 35,000, increased by 0.01 percent, 0.04 percent, 0.07 percent and 0.10 percent respectively. During the week under review, average prices of 11 items registered decrease, while 15 items increased with the remaining 27 items’ prices unchanged.

SrB announces incentive package for sales tax on services KARACHI

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

he Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has announced an incentive package for sales tax on services relating to taxpayers/WHT agents who failed to pay sales tax on services or payment of withheld amount of Sindh Sales Tax. In this regard, the SRB has issued a notiPication, exempting the whole of

the amount of penalty and such of the amount of default surcharge as is in excess of the amount of default surcharge. The principal amount of tax and the following amounts of the default surcharge thereon are deposited in the prescribed manner in Sindh Government’s head of account include the principal amount of tax (as outstanding on the 19th May, 2017) along with 5% of the amount of default surcharge thereon if deposited during the period from 19thMay,

2017 to 25th May, 2017; the principal amount of tax along with 10% of the amount of default surcharge thereon if deposited during the period from 26thMay, 2017 to 2ndJune, 2017; and the principal amount of tax along with 20% of the amount of default surcharge thereon if deposited during the period from 3rd June, 2017 to 9th June, 2017. The benePits of exemption of penalty and default surcharge also be available in relation to the arrears of the tax (as outstanding

on the 19th May, 2017) payable under the Sindh Sales Tax Ordinance, 2000 and under the Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act, 2011 by persons who are liable to be registered under section 24 of the Act but were not registered, provided that:- (a) they get themselves registered with SRB in the prescribed manner during the aforementioned periods from 18th May, 2017 to the 9th June, 2017; they e-deposit their tax liabilities for the principal amount of tax along with

the aforementioned percentages of the amount of default surcharge thereon in relation to the tax periods from the date of the commencement of their economic activity to the tax period of May, 2017 and they also ePile their tax returns, for the tax periods from the tax period of the commencement of their economic activity of taxable services to the tax period May, 2017, during the period from the date of this notiPication to the 23rd June.

www.customsbulletin.com

ISLAMABAD

M fAiZAn

www.customstoday.com

he Federal Board of Revenue has received 8,985 more returns in a week ended May 21. The number of active taxpayers has increased to 1,158,460 during the corresponding week as 1,149,475 taxpayers were recorded in the Active Taxpayers List (ATL) a week ago. FBR sources said that the ATL will increase before this Piscal year end i.e. June 30 as the government is going to announce some tough measures for non-Pilers of income tax returns in the budget 2017-18. The sources said that the FBR had estimated 1.3 million return Pilers for tax year 2016 by June 30 this year and 1.8 million before issuing of new ATL in March 2018. Meanwhile, the Federal Board of Revenue is working hard to meet the revenue target of Rs 3621 billion but even then shortfall is expected to be between Rs 225-250 billion and revenue collection

will stay under Rs 3400 billion. This has been conveyed to Federal Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. A top ofPicial of the Federal Board of Revenue told Customs Today that achieving revenue targets for current month (May) also seems to be difPicult. He said the government has taken initiatives to provide relief to the common man. Besides other many reasons, this is the main cause to reduction in revenue growth. Next Pinancial year revenue target is likely to be set around four trillion rupees but it

will be an unrealistic target. The FBR has proposed that under present circumstances and viewing prevalent tax culture, revenue target should be less than Rs 3900 billion for the next Pinancial year. “We cannot rely on advance taxes,” said top the ofPicial. In the next budget, 100 percent increase has been proposed in withholding tax for non-Pilers and 0.4 to 0.6 percent on banking transactions. It is also expected that withholding tax rates imposed on property may be increased. The Federal Board of Revenue Inland Revenue, withholding zone, has clariPied that the FBR’s notiPied rates for the evaluation of residential and commercial properties are equally applicable on the constructed and unconstructed plots. The withholding zone has issued a clariPication to all development authorities regarding the rates of immovable property and application of sections 236C, 236K and 236w of the Income Tax d to e s Ordinance 2001. a e cr

s in ing ers ha y a p spond x e a r t r o e c v e Acti e re ng th yers w 0 duri a 6 p 4 x , a 8 t 1,15 s List 9,475 payer x s 1,14 a a T k e e we Activ in the d ago e d r week re c o a ) L T (A

www.customsbulletin.com

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

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

Missing growth rate target

ccording to the data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the current government is like to achieve 5.28 percent growth rate during the current fiscal year, but has missed the projected target of 5.7 percent. The country achieved 6.8 percent growth rate a decade ago during President Pervez Musharraf’s regime, but the ensuing democratic governments failed to reach this target until today. The last year’s target was 5.5 percent, but only 4.51 percent could be achieved.A good news is that the large-scale manufacturing sector has shown good performance and marked a growth rate of 10.46 percent in March on a year-on-year basis, which is the highest growth in the last few years. The growth was recorded at 8 percent in February. In the first nine months of the current fiscal year, the large-scale manufacturing sector grew by 5.06 percent. The production data of 36 items was received from the Ministry of Industries and Production while another data of 65 items was received from the provincial bureaus of statistics, showingan overall growth of 3.97 percent and 1.07 percent, respectively.However, the production data received from the Oil Companies Advisory Committee of 11 items indicated a very bleak growth of only 0.03 percent in March. The problem faced by the government and independent institutions is that a major share of economy is undocumented and all the efforts to bring them into official papers have not only failed but backfired. A big chunk of the business community avoids coming into the tax net despite minting billions of rupees taxable income a year. On another note, the government is also not able to soften the tax laws for the new and genuine taxpayers to protect them from the alleged highhandedness of the corrupt officials. Tough laws bring more trouble for honest tax officials, but give magic wand in the hands of black sheep to exploit the law for vested interest. The biggest problem currently facing the industry is energy crisis. The government had promised that it would end power outages in a couple of years, but three and half years have been passed without improvement in the power supply. A better investment climate, tax concessions and a developed infrastructure with cheap electricity are a few components to enhance growth rate. It is yet to be seen how the government will work on all these components to achieve the desired goals.

filling the uS coﬀers T

LAHORE

Dr AfTAB AfZAL

www.customstoday.com

he United States and Saudi Arabian have signed business and arms deals worth billions of dollars to enhance mutual cooperation in various Pields of economy and counter the growing inPluence of Iran in the Middle East. During his Pirst visit to any foreign country, President Donald Trump attended a socalled Islamic conference and ensured the Saudi King of all his help against Iran. Without explaining any valid reasons, Trump also called upon the Arab and Muslim nations to isolate Iran, giving an impression that the military alliance of the Muslim countries is

against none other, but Iran. According to the Saudi energy minister, the bilateral deals involving $200 billion have been signed, showing a growing interest of the US corporate sector in Saudi Arabia. It is worth noting that only Saudi Arabia’s prime petroleum company, Aramco, has signed agreements worth $50 billion with various US Pirms while dozens of Memorandums of Understanding have been signed by the two sides to materialize the deals. Another agreement between Saudi Aramco and National Oilwell Varco of the United States involves drilling rigs and equipment with total investment of $6 billion. The General Electric has signed business deals worth $15 billion, involving almost $7 billion

of goods and services from the company itself while the deals range from the power to healthcare sectors. The US company will also launched various projects and operations in the country, including provision off digital technology, cooperation in the medical research and various training programmes. Another agreement between the two countries will be signed next year to conduct a study on a potential petrochemical project in Texas. The programme also include the production 1.8 million tons of ethylene per year to feed a monoethylene glycol unit. On the defence side, a US company will help Saudi Arabia develop defence, aerospace and security capabilities. It is the right of every country to

devise policies to protect its national interests, but alliance against an Islamic country will only spoil peace in the already volatile region. One fails to understand what has prompted the Saudi authorities to create a Nato-like group in the guise of the Islamic military alliance. The pathetic part of the situation is that Pakistan is also part of it. It seems the policymakers in Islamabad have failed to devise a foreign policy devoid of any foreign pressure. No doubt Pakistanis have great respect for Hejaz, but Iran is also our immediate neighbor and a balanced approach is need of the hour. Pakistanis have religious, cultural and brotherly relations with Iran more than Saudi Arabia and relations with one should not be established on the cost of the other.

www.customsbulletin.com

US polished imports slip in March WASHINGTON: By volume, polished imports slid 10% to 970,953 carats, while the average price of imports rose 8% to $2,045 per carat. Israel’s exports to the US jumped 13% to $606.4 million, with India’s shipments to the world’s largest diamond-consumer market slipping 3% to $673.8 million. Belgium’s contribution to US polished intake dropped 1% to $281.5 million. US polished exports, meanwhile, grew 7% to $1.58 billion, leaving net polished imports 28% lower at $402 million. Rough exports increased 81% to $47 million, while rough imports fell 22% to $35 million, meaning net rough imports stood at negative $12 million versus positive $19 million a year earlier. The US net diamond account its total rough and polished imports minus total exports — contracted 33% to $389 million.

fcci to familiarize exporters about registered exporter System FAISALABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

special cell will be created in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) to familiarize local exporters with recently introduced Registered Exporter System (REX) in order to facilitate the Pak exports to EU countries under GSP Plus scheme, said Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, President FCCI. He was addressing an awareness seminar on REX in FCCI. He explained the GSP Plus status given to Pakistan in 2014 and told that its basic objectives were to dilute the damages caused to Pak economy due to war on terror. He told that during 1st year of this facility Pak exports recorded a phenomenal growth of

23% but after that the exports experienced a steep decline. He told that Government of Pakistan has taken a number of steps including uninterrupted electric supply to the industrial sector and declaring five important export sectors zero rated from July 2016 to mitigate its problems but still the exports are not stable. He appreciated the recently introduced REX scheme and said that it will further facilitate Pak exporters to make their exports to the EU countries without any hassle and unnecessary procedural bottlenecks. He said that it is actually a self certification system and many European countries are already following it to streamline the exports from Pakistan under GSP Plus to the EU countries.

Wednesday May 24, 2017

Chambers

rcci organizes awareness session on electronic import form A

RAWALPINDI

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

n awareness and interactive session on Electronic Import Form (EIF) was organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Friday. Director exchange policy department Fazal Mehmood and his team led the meeting from State Bank of Pakistan. President RCCI Raja Amer Iqbal, Senior Vice President Rashid Waien, Vice President Asim Malik, members of the executive committee, representatives from customs, commercial banks and a large number of exporters and importers attended the session. Addressing the session Fazal Mahmood said that State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed that all imports into Pakistan should be made compulsorily through Electronic Import Form (EIF) to curb illegal and duplicate payments of imports by unscrupulous elements. SBP had a great respect for importers and exporters being the key stakeholder in bringing foreign exchange to Pakistan. He said dynamics of economy has now been

changed and SBP prime objective was to document the real time data of imports & exports through automation of import form. Raja Amer Iqbal, President RCCI in his welcome address said that chamber prior responsibility was to facilitate members and traders to address the key issues related to the EIF. He appreciated SBP role for bringing awareness through interactive sessions and working to-

wards the documentation of the economy. Under national action plan (NAP) it was necessary to abide by the international laws related to the Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti Money laundering (AML), he added. However, president RCCI shows concerns on less number of commercial branches in Rawalpindi dealing with imports of goods and suggested to set up a helping desk

fcci to familiarize exporters about registered exporter System

FAISALABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

facility Pak exports recorded a phenomenal growth of 23% but after that the exports experienced a steep decline. He told that Government of Pakistan has taken a number of steps including uninterrupted electric supply to the industrial sector and declaring five important export sectors zero rated from July 2016 to mitigate its problems but still the exports are not stable. He appreciated the recently introduced REX scheme and said that it will further facilitate Pak exporters to make their exports to the EU countries without any hassle and unnecessary procedural bottlenecks. He said that it is actually a self certiPication system and many European countries are already following it to streamline the exports

from Pakistan under GSP Plus to the EU countries. He said that as REX is a new system and many exporters are not fully aware of its modalities, hence Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has arranged this seminar. The FCCI has also decided to setup a cell which will provide much needed awareness and guidance to the local exporters. Engineer Asim Munir, Chairman FCCI Standing Committee on TDAP also addressed the seminar and said that the local TDAP ofPice should be further strengthened to facilitate local exporters to enhance their participation in international textile exhibitions. He said that Textile is the mainstay of national economy and out of total 13 billion Textiles export, the share of Faisalabad is around $ 6 billion.

in respected branches. The issue of third party payment, partial payment, minimum cash holding and rate of letter of credit (LC), must be rationalized and settled through the relevant stakeholders amicably, he further added. He said EIF will help to curb multiple payments against single consignment, fake and forge form and will improve forecasting /assessment of imports data.

govt urged to provide relief to common man in budget he Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has called upon the government to provide hefty relief to the common man in the upcoming budget. ICCI President Khalid Iqbal Malik said that high tax rates and large number of taxes in Pakistan were putting more burdens on the common man and reducing his purchasing power due to which business activities were also suﬀering. He stressed that the government should make significant cut in taxes in the forthcoming budget that would provide relief to the general public and facilitate better growth of trade and industrial activities. He said that high rate of GST in Pakistan was major cause of inflation and high cost of doing business. –CB Report

www.customsbulletin.com

Appraiser Muhammad Muzammil Haq retires Wednesday May 24, 2017

Islamabad Bilal given charge of faisalabad i&i-ir Addl Director ISLAMABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Muzammil Haq, Appraiser (BS-16), officer of Pakistan Customs has retired from the government service, on attaining the age of superannuation. The officer, posted as Appraiser Model Customs Collectorate (Exports), Karachi stood retired from Government service on 06.05.2017. Meanwhile, The competent authority in Federal Board of Revenue has allowed voluntary retirement from government service to Syed Nawab Hussain Zaidi, an Inland Revenue Service officer of BS-17.

principal Appraiser Sadar Amin granted performance allowance S

ISLAMABAD

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ilal Hassan, an Inland Revenue Service officer of BS-18, has been given the charge of the post of Additional Director-IR, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation (IR), Faisalabad on OPS with immediate effect & until further orders. The officer is presently posted as Deputy Director, Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation (IR), Faisalabad. Bilal has been directed to relinquish/assume charge, using online HRMS facility made available at all FBR major field offices or by using IJP login. Meanwhile, The competent authority has extended suspension period of Amir Ahmad Samoo, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS16. The authority, in continuation of Board’s Notification No.0382-C-III/2017 dated 08.02.2017, extended suspension period of the officer, posted as Principal Appraiser at MCC Appraisement-West, Karachi for a further period of three months with effect from May 8, 2017.

Sanaullah khan relinquishes charge as Secretary anaullah Khan, a BS-19 officer of Secretariat Group, has relinquished the charge of the post of Secretary (Expenditure). The officer, in pursuance of Establishment Division’s Notification No.1/50/2011-E-2 dated 13.04.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Secretary (Expenditure), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from May 15, 2017. Meanwhile, Ms. Rukhsana Yasmin BS-22 officer of Inland Revenue Service has relinquished the charge of the post of Member (Training), Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad w.e.f 04.05.2017 and assumed the chrge of the post of Member (Taxpayer’s Audit) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad on the same date. –CB Report

adar Amin Farooqui, a Pakistan Customs Service ofPicer of BS17, who has been selected through the process of internal job posting (IJP), has been granted performance allowance. The ofPicer, as Principal Appraiser at Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Karachi, has been granted performance allowance (equivalent to 100 per cent of basic pay) with effect from May 11, 2017 i.e the date of approval of the competent authority. The grant of performance allowance will be governed through the terms and conditions laid down vide Circular No. 6(96)S(BIC)/201314 dated 06.03.2015 to be read with Para-10 of Finance Division’s

O.M.No.1(3)/Imp/2015-360 dated 07.07.2015. The allowance will be

discontinued in case prescribed terms and conditions are not fulPilled

within one month from the date of issuance of this notiPication.

Multan customs collects rs3162.038 million

MULTAN

iMrAn ALi

www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Collectorate has collected Rs3162.038 millions revenue during the Pirst twenty days of May during the ongoing Piscal year 2016-17. Sources told Customs Today that the Collectorate of Multan Customs collected Rs772.203 million under the head of customs duty from 1st May to 20th May. On the other side, Federal Board of Revenue has allotted customs duty revenue collection target of Rs903.480 million to Multan Customs Collectorate for the month of May. The Customs Collectorate has attained 85% of the assigned revenue collection target of customs duty during the Pirst 20 days of May. Multan Customs is tackling with huge collection task of customs duty and Collectorate has managed to collect their major part during the Pirst 20 days and remaining customs duty will be collected in the remaining days of the month.

The Customs Collectorate has made collection of Rs2375.717 million in the Pirst 20 days of May. The Federal Board of Revenue has set the sales tax collection target of Rs4451 million in the Pirst 20 days for the May. Multan Customs is facing shortfall in the revenue collec-

tion of sales tax reduced collection in the sales taxes due to decrease in the import clearances at the Multan Dry Port. The collection of sales taxes at the Multan Customs Collectorate is also facing constant decline due to drop in the clearances of HSD

products from Multan Dry Port. Multan Customs has made the collection of Rs8.104 million under the head of federal excise duty (FED) in the first 20 days of the May against the given revenue task of Rs15 million for whole month of May.

www.customsbulletin.com

DG NAB hands over Rs4.2m cheque to FESCO LAHORE: Director General National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore Shahzad Saleem on Tuesday handed over a cheque worth Rs 4.2 million, the amount recovered from FESCO defaulters, to FESCO Chief Executive Oﬃcer Mujahid Islam. According to NAB spokesman, FESCO had contacted NAB Lahore in 2016 regarding its commercial, industrial and residential defaulters and reported that the defaulters are not wilfully paying their power bills. NAB Lahore initiated an inquiry against all the defaulters and managed to start recovery of defaulted money through Voluntary Return (VR) and plea bargain (PB) in the same year.

court seeks charge sheet against suspect involved in pay-order scam KARACHI

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent a suspect, Muhammad Yousuf son of Babu, to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand. The suspect was arrested for illegally depositing a pay-order of Rs 2,043,407 into an unauthorized account. During the hearing, investigation oﬃcer informed the court that the Pay Order No: 3176009 dated 03/02/2014 amounting to Rs 2, 043, 407 was issued by Standard Chartered Bank, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, and was deposited against GD of unauthorized importer(s). Yousuf allegedly removed the pay order from securities section of the collectorate. He added that accused was asked to clarify his

position from time to time but he intentionally avoided to attend preliminary investigations, therefore, a case was registered against him under Sections 32-A of the Customs Act 1969, punishable under clause 14A of Section 156(I) of the customs Act 1969, have been reported in this case. After the hearing, court sent the suspect to jail and directed investigation oﬃcer to submit charge sheet against him on the next date of hearing. Meanwhile, Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent a suspect, Baz Muhammad son of Dost Muhammad, to Central Jail, Karachi, for his alleged involvement in tortoises smuggling case. The authorities had arrested the suspect when he was attempting to smuggle 350 live tortoises, said to be Central Asian Tortoise or Afghan Tortoise, “Testudo Horsfieldi”, wroth Rs 1,750, 000.

Karachi

SHc dismisses Sukkur commissioner’s income tax reference application T

KARACHI

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

he Sindh High Court has dismissed an income tax reference application Piled by Commissioner-Inland Revenue, Zone I, RTO Sukkur against Ranipur CNG Station. An SHC appellate bench, comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Nazar Akbar, heard the reference against order of the Appellate tribunal which decided the issue relating to addition in terms of Section 111 of the Income Tax Ordinance (ITO) 2001. It was held by the tribunal that no notice under section 111 of the ITO was issued to the respondents. The bench after hearing the counsel for appellants as well as respondents held that impugned order passed by the appellate tribunal Inland Revenue does not suffer from any error and illegality. It was also held that under Article 10-A and Section 24-A of the General Clauses Act nobody could be condemned unheard. The bench then dismissed the appeal by the Commissioner IR. Meanwhile, M/s Master Motor Corporation (Private) Limited has moved Sindh High Court (SHC),

challenging impugned notice issued by assistant commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Unit-IV, Zone-II LTU Karachi for recovery of the alleged evaded sales tax and penalty . In its constitutional petition, the company stated that it is engaged in the lawful business of assembling and sales of light trucks of Chinese brand and always pays all liabilities properly. According to the petitioner, the respondent issued a show cause notice to it under section 4 (2) of the Sales Tax Act 1990, alleging a few discrepancies, there-

Wednesday May 24, 2017

fore, the petitioner submitted its reply along with all the relevant documents. Having found the reply unsatisfactory, the ofPicials of the tax authority issued the notice requiring the petitioner to pay the evaded sales tax along with penalty. He further submitted that being aggrieved, it moved an appeal before commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals-II Karachi which is still pending for disposal, and however, during pendency of such appeals, petitioner is being threatened by ofPicials of the tax department.

Appraisement east arrests 2 in pay order theft case KARACHI

u H kHAn

www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Collectorate Appraisement East has apprehended two more suspects who were allegedly involved in theft of a pay order of Rs 6.4 million. According to details, R&I department of Customs Collectorate Appraisement East arrested two men, Abrar Ahmed son of Manzur Ahmed and Muhammad Nasir Shoaib son of Shoaib Ahmed Khan. Both were involved in pay order theft. Sources told Customs Today that a team headed by Deputy Collector Engineer Habib and comprising Principal Appraiser Hamoodu Rehman, Appraising Oﬃcer Malik Hashim, Adil Rasheed and Samar arrested the two men the on identification of already arrested National Bank of Pakistan employees Rafeeq and Yousuf. Sources said that arrested men Abrar Ahmed and Nasir Shaoib are clearing agents and were facilitators of the former accused for stealing a pay order from security section of Customs House. After stealing the pay order the accused submitted it for another consignment in order to get it cleared without submitting due taxes. It is pertinent to mention that the team has already arrested four people including the employees of National Bank of Pakistan Customs House branch in this case and conducting raids to arrest more people.

Dg Valuation issues customs values of spun yarn

KARACHI

wAQAr AHMeD AnSAri www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of polyester spun yarn, viscose spun yarn, acrylics spun yarn and their blends vide Valuation Ruling No 1161/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. In exercise of powers conferred under Section 25-A of Customs Act, 1969 the customs values of various counts of polyester spun yarn, viscose spun yarn, acrylic spun yarn and their different blended yarns of China,

Thailand, Indonesia, India and other origins (manufactured from polyester staple fiber and viscose staple fiber and acrylic staple fiber respectively), had earlier been determined vide Valuation Ruling No. 983/2016 dated 28.11.2016. Since the first Valuation Ruling is formula based and the formula is derived after painstaking efforts with the direct stakeholders and industry experts, therefore, fresh values as per the formula were obtained for calculation of the determined values of subject goods. M/s APTMA (All Pakistan Textile Mills Association) vide letter No. 2017/PR/Admin/FBR/006

dated 29th March, 2017 appreciated Directorate General of Customs Valuation for determination and imposition of minimum import values of Synthetic Yarns of Viscose, Polyester and Acrylic which helped in curbing the menace of under-invoicing regarding import of subject Spun Yarn products. M/s APTMA further requested to revise the Valuation Ruling No.983/2016 dated 28.11.2016 for Polyester Spun Yarn, Viscose Spun Yarn, Acrylic Spun Yarn and their blends as the prices of raw material i-e., polyester staple fiber, viscose staple fiber and acrylic staple fiber has gone up in

the international markets. Analysis of the PRAL data also showed up-word trend of declared values by the importers against the subject goods. M/s APTMA (All Pakistan Textile Mills Association) further contended to include 100 % Polyester Spun Yarns (PCT 5509.2100) in the revised Valuation Ruling of Spun Yarn. Moreover, M/s. Sana Industries Limited, Karachi, also filed a representation on 22 March, 2017 for the revision of Valuation Ruling No. 28.11.2016 for Polyester Spun Yarn, Viscose Spun Yarn, Acrylic Spun Yarn and their blends.

www.customsbulletin.com

Indonesia, Colombia eyes to strengthen bilateral relation Wednesday May 24, 2017

World

JAKARTA: The President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, said in the countrys capital city, Bogota, on Monday that his government will strengthen its bilateral relation with Indonesia by expanding cooperation in some sectors. “Indonesia has a great potential in Southeast and East Asia regions, which has yet to be optimized,” Santos added, as quoted by the Ambassador of Indonesia to Colombia Priyo Iswanto, while handing over the letter of conﬁdence at the Palacio Nari’o presidential palace in Bogota. During the ceremony, the president hoped the two countries could encourage the Paciﬁc Alliance and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations to improve their cooperation, Iswanto stated in its written statement received by ANTARA on Tuesday.

post-Brexit customs controls would stops hundreds of vehicles

Australian tax oﬃcial charged in $123m fraud CANBERRA

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

MOSCOW

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ost-Brexit customs checks that would see freight vehicles stopped at “trade facilitation posts” near the border would create huge problems for businesses across Ireland, it was claimed last night. The Republic’s customs authorities have indicated that up to eight per cent of goods would be subject to checks after the UK leaves the EU. It has been estimated that more than two million HGV journeys take place between Ireland’s two jurisdictions each year. Revenue commissioner Liam Irwin told TDs and Senators on the Oireachtas Pinance committee that while efforts would be made to minimise cross-border customs controls, EU law dictates that some inspections would be required. He told TDs that between six and eight per cent of freight

indonesia sues Thailand’s pTT for $2 billion ontradictory claims sit at the heart of a bitter row that reignited between the Indonesian government and PTT, Thailand’s state-owned oil company, last week over a 2009 oil spill in the Timor Sea between Australia and Indonesia. Reported to be the worst oﬀshore drilling accident in Australian history, it resulted in an estimated 30,000 barrels of oil leaking for 74 days from a well operated by a PTT subsidiary in the Montara oil field. Nearly eight years on, the Indonesian government has filed suit against PTT and two subsidiaries PTT Exploration & Production and Australia-based PTTEP Australasia (PTTEP AA), the operator of the oil rig. The demand is for 27.5 trillion rupiah ($2.06 billion) in compensation for environmental damage and rehabilitation in the Indonesian regions aﬀected. –CB Report

would need to be checked, mostly for paperwork, but a “small number” of physical inspections would also be necessary. Both the Irish and British governments have insisted there will be no hard border after Britain severs its ties with Brussels. The revenue commissioner said the checks would probably not

take place on the border but at “trade facilitation posts” located 10-15 kilometres from what will be a post-Brexit EU frontier. He said there would also be random checks on vehicles carried out by mobile units but that customs declarations in general would be conducted electronically.

Belgium fairness tax system violates eu law, court rules

elgium’s fairness tax system is incompatible with EU freedom of establishment concepts and the parent-subsidiary directive, the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) ruled in a 17 May decision (Case C-68/15). Belgium’s fairness tax legislation provides a separate assessment from the corporation tax and the non-residents’ tax. The tax applies where, for the same tax period, dividends are dis-

tributed and the company’s taxable proPits are wholly or partly reduced by applying the various deductions provided for by the national tax system. The objective of this legislation is to tax income falling within the Belgian tax jurisdiction which, owing to such use, was distributed without having been subjected to corporation tax, with regard to resident companies, or to non-residents’ tax, as regards nonresident companies. –CB Report

senior Australian tax bureaucrat and two of his children are among 10 people charged in connection with a sophisticated tax fraud that police say netted 165 million Australian dollars ($123 million) in less than a year. Australian Taxation OfPice Deputy Commissioner Michael Cranston faces up to Pive years in prison if convicted of abusing his position as a public servant by passing information to his son, Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Leanne Close said Thursday. His son Adam Cranston, 30, is managing director of a Sydney-based Pinancial services company that police say was at the center of the alleged scam involving payroll taxes. Police arrested him, his sister Lauren Cranston and

seven others in raids Wednesday. They were to be charged with crimes ranging from conspiracy to defraud the government to dealing in the proceeds of crime to demanding money with menaces. The 58-year-old bureaucrat was not thought to be part of the alleged criminal syndicate, which Close said is accused of spending unpaid taxes on luxury homes, racing cars, airplanes, motorbikes, jewelry, art and vintage wine. The group ran a legitimate payroll company contracted to pay staff on behalf of their employers. Police allege the scam came in when they introduced subcontractors to pay the salaries. Police allege the subcontractors were “a front” that only paid part of the taxes that the employees owed. News Corp. reported that the suspects believed they had struck a sweet spot where each individual tax underpayment was too small to trigger a tax office response. Police began investigating the scam in June last year.

Denmark to introduce tax on pV power enmark’s Ministry of Energy, Climate and Buildings has submitted to public consultation a bill to introduce a tax on the power produced for self-consumption by PV installations under net metering. The Minister of Energy Lars Chr. Lillehol said that the faster than expected development of solar energy throughout Denmark would lead to an expense of DKK 4.9 billion ($734.8 million) in the state budget. Through the announced tax, the government hopes to reduce the above-mentioned expense to DKK 3.7 billion ($558 million). Planned solar energy develop-

ment by 2020, the ministry stated, is 918 MW, while local energy operator Energinet.dk and the Danish Energy Agency (Energistyrelsen) are currently predicting that solar installations will reach up to 1,350 MW by then. Af of Mar , 2017, the country’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached 854.8 MW, according to the latest statistics from Energinet.dk. The new tax, if introduced, will be applied to all self-consumed power, which is currently exempt from VAT, the Public Service Obligations (PSO) levy that Pinances the country’s renewable energy incentives program, and other grid fees. –CB Report

uk labour plans tax on companies that pay over $425,000

LONDON

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

he UK’s opposition Labour Party will introduce a tax on companies that pay staff more than 330,000 pounds ($425,000) a year if it wins the June 8 general election, according to a person familiar with the plans.

Party leader Jeremy Corbyn will unveil the proposed levy on Tuesday as part of a range of policies intended to “reverse” seven years of government by Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party, which he says has favored the rich over those in need. Under the plan, companies would be charged 2.5 percent on earnings over 330,000 pounds and 5 percent on compen-

sation packages worth more than 500,000 pounds, according to the person, who asked not to be identified because the plans are still private. The proposal targets employers, rather than employees, to discourage them from awarding excessive pay, the person said. “People want a country run for the many not the few and for the last seven years, our people have lived

through the opposite a Britain run for the rich, the elite and the vested interests,” Corbyn will say, according to speech extracts released by his office. “They have benefited from tax cuts and bumper salaries while millions have struggled and been held back.” Labour is lagging behind May’s Conservatives by almost 20 percentage points in polls.

www.customsbulletin.com

Easter causes a 23% dip in Norwegian seafood exports

World Customs

OSLO: The timing of Easter has been blamed for a 23% dip in Norwegian seafood export volumes last month. Norway exported 151,000 tonnes of seafood, worth NOK 6.8 billion, in April – a 23% decrease in volume and a 7% decrease in value compared with April 2016. So far this year, Norway has exported 886,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 31 billion. Year to date export volumes are at the same level as last year, while the year to date value of Norwegian seafood exports has increased by 8 percent. Salmon exports totaled 60,000 tonnes, worth NOK 4.9 billion, in April – a drop of 11 per cent in volume.

indonesia arrests Japanese man in reptile smuggling ndonesian authorities have arrested a Japanese man who conservationists say is a major player in the illegal wildlife trade for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 250 reptiles out of the country. The head of law enforcement at Jakarta’s international airport, Ridwan Alaydrus, said Thursday that Katsuhide Naito was arrested after customs oﬃcers found 181 lizards, 65 snakes and seven turtles in his luggage. He said the wildlife seized Tuesday included 12 diﬀerent species, three of which are endangered. Naito allegedly bought the haul from poachers in northern Sumatra and the Indonesian part of Borneo, Alaydrus said. It included green tree snakes, Borneo lizards and pig-nosed turtles, which are protected under Indonesian law. Naito was arrested before boarding a flight to Japan. His travel documents indicated he is a frequent visitor to Indonesia, holding Platinum Elite Plus status with the country’s national airline, Garuda. –CB Report

feds seizes $7.2 million in drugs at border in day

ubai Customs has updated its valuation system to the new “Smart Customs Valuation Project”, which will deliver the most accurate valuation for imported goods using smart applications and artificial intelligence. Fareeda Fadhil, director Customs Valuation Department pointed out that Dubai Customs always keeps abreast of the latest technologies to regularly update its systems and processes. Striking the balance between facilitation of trade and compliance to regulations and restrictions is key, she added. The new project provides an automated data base of prices for all imported goods instead of relying on older data. This makes it easier to determine the customs value of imported goods and tariﬀs to be levied. –CB Report

norway ex-cop faces 21 years in jail for drug smuggling Norwegian prosecutor demanded 21 years in prison, the maximum sentence, for a man accused of allowing nearly 14 tonnes of hashish to be smuggled into the country while a police officer. Eirik Jensen, 60, who was in charge of fighting organised crime, is accused of aggravated corruption and having being involved with an infamous drug trafficker, Gjermund Cappelen, also known as the “hashish baron”, for several years. Jensen denies the accusations against him in the extremely rare case of alleged official graft, which has made headlines in Norway for several months. International rankings routinely list the country as one of the world’s least corrupt nations. Jensen allegedly received 2.44 million kroner (over 262,000 euros, $293,000) in bribes, in exchange for helping Cappelen smuggle 13,9 tonnes of hashish into Norway between 2004 and 2013, according to prosecutor Guro Glaerum Kleppe. She mentioned multiple message exchanges between the men, adding they included code language on police activity. The two men are now sworn enemies. Kleppe said Cappelen, 50, who was arrested for drug trafficking, provided information about Jensen’s alleged role in drugs smuggling to investigators, hoping to have his punishment reduced. –CB Report

Dubai customs develops smart valuation system

Wednesday May 24, 2017

WASHINGTON

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

fPicers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized drugs worth more than $7,200,000 on one day at the Port of Nogales in Nogales, Arizona. Nogales shares a border with Sonora, Mexico, and is Arizona’s largest border city. On Saturday afternoon, a K-9 drug detection ofPicer alerted on a tractor trailer carrying bell peppers at the Mariposa Commercial Facility. CBP ofPicers took the produce off of the trac-

tor and discovered that the 46-yearold Mexican driver had 13,700 pounds of marijuana hidden in the produce. The drugs have an estimated street value of $6.85 million. OfPicers at the Dennis DeConcini Crossing also busted a 29-year-old Mexican man. His vehicle was referred to be inspected when he reached the border crossing. A CBP drug-detection canine alerted on the Ford SUV, and ofPicers found more than 34 pounds of cocaine hidden in the back seats. OfPicials estimate the value of the drug at almost $386,000. OfPicers seized the vehicles used to transport the contraband along with the drugs. OfPicers arrested the suspected drug smug-

glers turned them over to special agents from U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Nogales provides ports of entry for vehicular, pedestrian, and airport trafPic. In April, Breitbart Texas reported that border ofPicials arrested a Mexican woman after she was found to be carrying the highly dangerous drug, fentanyl, in a baby stroller that was also carrying two small children. CBP ofPicers at the Nogales Port of Entry observed the woman crossing the pedestrian lanes. They directed her to a secondary inspection station where a K-9 ofPicer alerted to the possible presence of drugs in the stroller.

SLT group reports rs. 18.7b revenue during 1Q 2017

COLOMBO

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

ri Lanka Telecom Group released its results for the 1st quarter 2017. The group comprises of 7 subsidiaries and the Holding Company. During the 1st quarter 2017 the group reported Rs. 18.7 billion, with a revenue of 1.4% year on year growth. Tax changes made by the government had an adverse impact on the Group’s revenue growth. The reduction in revenue

growth had an impact on proPitability as well. The Group’s operating expenditure increased by 2.7% to Rs. 13.1 billion from LKR 12.7 billion in line with business expansions and external factors. The impact caused by foreign currency translation losses continued due to the depreciation of the LKR against the USD. During the quarter there was a foreign exchange loss of Rs. 364 million. Owing to the above reasons and increase of depreciation by 19.7% year on year to Rs. 3.9 billion, the ProPit Before tax and ProPit

for the period dipped to Rs. 1.8 billion and Rs. 1.5 billion respectively. The operating revenue of the holding company increased by 3.6% to Rs. 11.2 billion despite the external challenges as explained above. However, the increase of depreciation to Rs. 2.5 billion by 30% year on year and increase of foreign currency translation losses to Rs. 257 million from Rs. 64 million of same period of the last year the ProPit Before tax and ProPit for the period dipped to Rs. 627 million and Rs. 545 million respectively.

As a pioneer in the ICT industry and as part of a market that shifts very quickly, the SLT Assemblage continuously strives to remain technologically innovative. As such the Group continues to accelerate multiple projects, especially the longterm evolution (LTE) project and the Pibre to the home (FTTH) under which was rolled-out 1,000 LTE base stations and 100,000 Pibre ports respectively. A signiPicant addition to the mobile industry is underway with Mobitel’s forthcoming 4G expansion.

www.customsbulletin.com

FIA arrests two human traﬃckers Wednesday May 24, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle here Wednesday arrested two human traffickers and recovered five Pakistani passports, five fake Spanish visa stickers from their possession. According to FIA spokesman, the FIA team conducted a raid near General Hospital Lahore and arrested the accused Imran Tipu and Abdul Rehman, and recovered five Pakistani passports and Spanish visa stickers duly affixed and ready for human smuggling. Agents received Rs 800,000 each under the grab of providing genuine visas. Further investigation was underway, said the spokesman.

customs tribunal orders recovery rs500000 from M/s Six Star Sports

pcA detects duty, tax evasion of rs 41,965 by M/s Mani enterprises

LAHORE

www.customsbulletin.com

SAHiD nAwAZ

www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Appellate Tribunal decided a case against M/s Six Star Sports Apparel private limited with an order to recover Rs04.9million taxes and duties with a penalty of Rs500000 imposed by the customs authorities on the appellant. Superintendent of Model Customs Collectorate Sambrial, Sialkot’s preventive agency examined the record of the consignment of 45,200 kilograms of polyester yarn imported by the M/s Six Star Sports Apparel private limited. The team of the Input Output CoefPicient Organization (IOCO) visited the unit and submitted a report which was against the appellant and found

Afu faces loss of rs4m due to internet problem ustoms Air Freight Unit (AFU) team deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore has faced huge loss of revenue in the wake of collection of customs duty (CD). According to sources of Customs Today on Monday at Lahore airport cargo Pakistan customs faced a loss of Rs 4 million in the wake of collection of customs duty and other taxes. On Monday internet facility at airport suspended due to some technical problem. Internet service remained suspended from 11 am to 4 pm that made a big loss to national kitty. Due to internet issue imports and exports remained close for many hours because of non clearance of goods consignment. Sources told that there is no alternate source at Lahore airport to overcome any issue regarding internet. It is not for the first time that internet connection has dropped at cargo center of Lahore airport that has made a huge loss to the national kitty. –CB Report

some serious discrepancies. After a complete examination of the record, the IOCO imposed Rs04.9million on the appellant under Section 19 and 31(1)(2) of the Customs Act-1969. After a show cause notice, the adjudication authority passed an order-inoriginal and also imposed a penalty of Rs500000 on the plaintiff. Being aggrieved from the ONO, appellant Piled a case in the Customs Appellate Tribunal on the grounds that the examination report issued by the IOCO is not correct and the order passed by the adjudication authority is not according to the law. He prayed the court for suspension of the ONO. On the other hand, the counsel for the recipient rejected all the allegations levelled by the complainant. After hearing the arguments from both sides, Imran Tariq, Member Technical Bench-II, passed the judgment that there is no merit in the appeal and customs department to recover taxes and duties with penalty.

LAHORE

M HAYAT

irectorate of Customs Post Clarence has summoned M/s Mani Enterprises in duty and tax evasion of Rs 41,965 on the import of tarpaulin. According to the details, the PCA Lahore observed that the import clearances data against HS Code 6306.1210 effected from various Customs Collectorate during the calendar years 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible concession of sales tax and value added sales tax under the SRO 1125()/2011 dated 31.12.2011, were wrongfully availed on the import of tarpaulin i.e. sun shedding which is speciPically excluded from that ambit of the said SRO and hence was not entitled for such benePit under the said SRO. It has been observed that importer had imported

punjab excise achieves rs7 billion motor tax target

unjab Excise and Taxation Department’s motor branch has achieved tax collection target of Rs7 billion. E&T Director General Akram Ashraf Gondal had Deputed Director Motor Branch Muhammad Asif in 2016 after which Director Asif asked the department not to interfere in his working procedure. Director Motor Branch Asif started working in his own way and started crackdown on fake computerised number plates and its

manufacturers after the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2016 by provincial legislators. The crackdown was launched in August 2016 under Section 97A against the illegal number plates and its manufacturers by the Excise Motor Branch teams. More than 0.1 million number plates had been removed by the excise teams under the supervision of Director Motor Branch Asif in various parts of the provincial capital during the last eleven months. –CB Report

various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and got it cleared under PCT heading 6306.1210 with inadmissible concession under SRO 1125(I/201 1, dated 31.12.2011. Hence, it was said that the importers have short paid an amount Rs 41,965 sales tax, additional sales tax and income tax due to wrongful, concession under the SRO I 125(D/2011 dated 31.12.2011. The importer was asked to pay above mentioned short paid

amount of duty/ taxes within 10 days of receipt of this letter positively. The importer was told in case they do not agree with the audit observation, they may provide the written clariPication along with supporting documents as well as import documents i.e. copies of Goods Declaration, commercial performa invoice, LC, invoice, packing list, contract, purchase order, catalogue / literature etc. on or before the stipulated time.

court approves judicial remand of accused

he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has approved 14 days judicial remand of an accused Muhammad Riaz who is involved in 14 kilograms of gold smuggling. According to the details, accused Muhammad Riaz was arrested by the customs authorities after rejection of his pre arrest bail plea by the Supreme Court. Earlier the customs authorities have arrested two female suspects and recovered 14 kilograms of gold wearing both females in their hands in shape of bangles (kara) and anklets (pazaib) along with

39000 Saudi riyals and United Arab Emirates dirhams. Multan Customs had seized the recovered gold and foreign currency of Rs64.6 million and lodged FIR against both arrested women in charges of smuggling and money laundering. Accused Muhammad Riaz was in custody of customs investigation on physical remand. On Monday he was produced before the court of Masood Arshad where he sent him to jail for judicial trial. The Customs authorities have registered a case against him under Pakistan Customs Act 1969. –CB Report

fBr to include pTBA proposals in next budget

LAHORE

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

he Federal Board of Revenue has agreed to the recommendations submitted by Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) for inclusion in the upcoming budget 2017-18. The agreement was reached in a meeting between a delegation of PTBA, headed

by its president Mohsin Nadeem, with the policy makers in tax matters including PM’s Special Adviser on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan, FBR Chairman Dr Irshad and Inland Revenue Policy member Dr Iqbal. The meeting discussed in detail the recommendations put forward by Pakistan Tax Bar Association for greater conPidence building and smooth transactions between tax payers and the relevant gov-

ernment bodies. The PTBA delegation was assured by the policy makers that almost all the recommendations would be formed part of the national budget. The PTBA recommendations included settlement of pending audit and amendment proceedings/litigation through Tax Recovery based on mutual agreement and consent, prevention of sudden suspension and black listing of registration without

prior notice and due process and approval by the chief commissioner, restraining bank attachment and recovery notices pending Pirst appeal decision, discouraging of raid, impounding of record, registration of FIR and arrest under Sales Tax Act 1990 and section 175 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 without solid reason and due process/prior approval of FBR/consent of PTBA, etc.

www.customsbulletin.com

Port of Savannah welcomes largest ship ever to call on East Coast SAVANNAH: COSCO Development, the largest container ship ever to visit the U.S. East Coast, passed through Savannah Thursday morning. With a capacity of 13,092 twenty-foot equivalent container units, the Development measures 1,201 feet long and 158 feet wide. According to COSCO, the ship is the length of eight Statues of Liberty or one Eiﬀel Tower or two Washington Monuments. It left Hong Kong for the U.S. on April 8, and made a stop in Norfolk, Virginia, earlier this week. COSCO Shipping Lines is based out of Shanghai, China, which is the country’s biggest city and a global ﬁnancial hub. The COSCO Development vessel will not only unload containers of imported goods while in Savannah, but it will also load containers of U.S. goods to be exported to Asian countries.

port of Savannah welcomes largest ship ever to call on east coast omalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland has confirmed that it has accepted a demand by the Ethiopian government to get the right to access of the Berbera Port in Somaliland, Presidential spokesman said. UAE’s Dubai Ports World or DP World Port is contracted to manage the operation of the Berbera Port for 30 years in a controversial leasing agreement. “We have not decided on our side. It is the DP World that gave the Ethiopian Government to have 19% of access and usage of the port.” Somaliland Presidential Spokesman, Hussein Ige Dayr said in a press conference in Hargeisa on Saturday. He said Somaliland administration will maintain its role as supervising the managerial system of the port while Ethiopia will be the main consumer of the port

services. In Mid last year, the global ports operator company managed to secure a landmark controversial deal which gives it the access to manage and control the operation of Somalia’s Red Sea Port of Berbera for 30 years by investing $442 during that period. The deal immediately faced challenges after Somaliland lawmakers questioned the motive of the agreement and bringing a suspicion on how DP World attempts to cease the competitiveness of the Berbera Port since DP World also manages the Doralleh Port in Djibouti. But in a press statement in May last year, DP World Group chairman and Chief Executive Oﬃcer Sultan Ahmed bin Suleyman said its deal with Somaliland compliments the company’s investments in Djibouti and will also serve landlocked countries in East Africa. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

port of Savannah handles containers for uS east coast WASHINGTON

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

t an event on the docks of the Port of Savannah today, Governor Nathan Deal, port ofPicials and the maritime community were on hand to welcome the COSCO Development, the largest containership to ever call on the U.S. East Coast as it handled 5,500 containers, a record for Georgia’s ports. “This is another example of how the Port of Savannah is the gateway not just for the U.S. Southeast, but for America’s East Coast,” said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. “The numbers are impressive; our customers have spoken, and the Port of Savannah is clearly the must-call port.” During the ship’s 30 hours at dock, up to six cranes moved 10,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent container Units) on and off the vessel, which translated into more than 50 percent of the vessel’s entire volume for its maiden voyage to the U.S. East Coast. With a capacity of 13,092

twenty-foot equivalent container units, the Development measures 1,201 feet long and 158 feet wide. “The COSCO Development is the start of a new era in the East Coast container trade,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “With their shift to larger, more cost-effective vessels, the shipping lines are gravitating toward gateway ports. The Port of Savannah is perfectly suited to handle the larger exchanges of Neo-Panamax vessels.” Lynch added: “We would like to thank the

men and women of Georgia’s ports, the International Longshoremen’s Association and other vital members of the maritime community for their outstanding work that has made today’s accomplishments possible.” Crews working the COSCO Development were able to complete more than 220 container moves per hour during a period in which the GPA and International Longshoremen worked a total of nine vessels, moving more than 12,000 total containers, or 21,600 TEUs.k

Wednesday May 24, 2017

Shipping activity at port Qasim hemicals carrier M.T Ginga Saker carrying 2,851 tonnes Acetic Acid was allotted berth at Engro Vopak Terminal. Meanwhile five more ships Kahyas, Wawasan Jade, Brizo, Frauke and MSC Joanna with LPG, Palm oil, Furnace oil, Project cargo and Containers also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim (PQ) during lat 24 hours. Berth occupancy was observed at the port at 44% on Sunday where a total of seven ships namely, Hermes, Fortune, Ali Kip, RB Eden, Ginga Lion, Ginga Saker and Zem Gale are currently occupying berths to load/oﬄoad Containers, Coal, Yellow Soya Bean, Chemicals, Palm oil and Diesel oil respectively. Cargo throughput during last 24 hours stood at 102,880 tonnes, comprising, 74,095 tonnes import cargo and 28,785 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 2,422 containers (TUEs) 907 imports TUEs and 1,515 TUEs exports) was handled at the port. Five ships Hermes, Fortune, Ali Kip, Ginga Saker and Zem Gale sailed out to sea on Monday morning, while another ship Ginga Lion is expected to sail on same day afternoon. –CB Report

port records 4.6% growth in cruise arrivals A

POINTE BLANCHE

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

4.6 per cent growth in cruise passenger arrivals to the country has been reported by Port St. Maarten for January through April. This translates into a total of 833,755 passengers via 324 ship calls. The destination received 796,957 cruise passengers in the same period in 2016. That year ended with the destination receiving close to 1.7 million cruise passengers via 602 ship calls. April’s arrivals grew by 35 per cent more than the projected Pigures for that month, according to the Port. The projection for the off-season is similar to the same period in 2016. “We are hoping for a continued above average occupancy on the cruise ships. Vessel size and occupancy determine actual numbers versus forecast,” said Port Chief Executive OfPi-

cer (CEO) Mark Mingo. The Port has also received performance indications for the destination from the cruise industry that show the destination is performing well. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) recently released its Pirst Cruise Industry Consumer Outlook of 2017 that revealed traveller insights, outlooks, and attitudes regarding cruising and landbased travel. Cruise travel is becoming more popular and awareness more favourable among all types of travellers. Of those asked, nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) said their overall awareness of cruise vacations has improved within the last two years. Within the last four months alone, 30 percent of respondents said their awareness of cruising and ship-based excursions “increased greatly” compared to a year or two ago. In terms of perception, the overwhelming majority of

travellers have a positive attitude toward cruising. The cruise industry is feeling the positive traveller attitudes toward cruises, the Consumer Outlook 2017 report said. The number of vacationers who are interested in taking a cruise is up to 63 per cent. According to the report, travellers have a solid interest in both ocean cruising (50 per cent) and river cruising (30 per cent). More than half (over 50 per cent) of people say they will or probably will take an ocean cruise, and soon. Eight out of ten (80 per cent) people say they will board a cruise ship in the next 12 months, the Consumer Outlook 2017 report pointed out. Mingo issued an appeal to destinations in the Eastern Caribbean: “The region has to step their game up to attract more demand. Cruise executive itinerary planners plan two years plus in advance. I am appealing to industry partners in the Eastern

Caribbean to improve their products so we as a region overall can compete against the other emerging markets.” Cruise principles don’t plan itineraries based on one or two good destinations. The chain of destinations on the route must be satisfactory to the lines but most important their esteemed passengers, he added. “The developments at the Rainforest marque tour will be positive for our growth prospects moving ahead. The fact that the park may also create a record by being the steepest in the world will also create positive attention for the destination,” Mingo said. CLIA, the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, in its 2017 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook, pointed to an increase in cruise travel to continue throughout 2017, with an estimated 25.3 million passengers expected to sail in 2017, a strong surge from 15.8 million just 10 years prior (2007).

www.customsbulletin.com

Mianwali ASO seizes non-duty paid vehicle, dates MIANWALI: The Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) successfully seized illegally imported foreign origin Noor Zehdi fresh dates 2500 cartons. The ASO authorities also impounded Hino truck which was being used to smuggle the item. Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Collector Rana Falik Shair received information that some smugglers are planning to smuggle Noor Zehdi fresh dates.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

customs car cell detains non-duty paid Toyota Land cruiser worth rs 7.8 million ISLAMABAD M fAiZAn

www.customsbulletin.com

he special car cell of the Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation has detained a non-duty paid Toyota Land Cruiser Prado worth Rs 7.8 million. According to the sources, the car cell received information that a non-duty paid smuggled vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser Prado bearing registration no: RLE 3080 Model (1997) is plying in Islamabad sector G10. In pursuance of information, the car cell staff rushed to Sector G-10/4, and intercepted Toyota Prado at service Road East Sector G-10/4 Islamabad, from the possession of Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhary son of Chaudhary Muhammad ShaPi, a resident of House No. 115 A Sector F-1 Mirpur Azad Jammu Kashmir. Special car cell demanded the owner of vehicle to produce legal documents regarding possession of the Toyota Prado but the owner failed to produce any valid import documents showing legal import except photocopy of registration book. Staff of special car cell detained the vehicle under section 17 of the Customs Act, 1969, for further veriPication of its import status and payment of duty and taxes and lab test.

Dg Valuation revises customs values of biscuits KARACHI

cuSToMS BuLLeTin reporT www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of biscuits Valuation Ruling No 1162/2017 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act 1969. According to the details, customs values of various types of Biscuits from different origins were determined vide Valuation Ruling

No. 838/2016 dated 20.04.2016 and those of Danish Cookies were circulated vide VDB No.57/2016 dated 19.10.2016. Some importers filed applications before the Director Valuation, Karachi, for re-determination of values in the light of orders of the Sindh High Court, in C.P. No. 6918/2015 (M/s Danish Jehangir). Hence an exercise was initiated by the Directorate General to determine the customs values afresh. A meeting was scheduled on 1105-2017 with stakeholders and importers of subject goods which was attended by representatives of clear-

ance Collectorate also. All stakeholders were requested to submit invoices of imports during last three months showing factual values. The importers / stakeholders contended that market surveys were earlier conducted from high end retail outlets and requested that different markets be consulted for the survey of subject goods. They further insisted that subject goods were actually being purchased / imported at much lower values than those determined vide Order-in-Revision No. 233/2016 dated 18.08.2016. The importers insisted that since the subject goods are mainly being sold

at super and general store, therefore, a lot more expenses (breakage due to shifting from place to place, expiry, self-rent, marketing expenses) etc. are incurred thus increasing their retail price. The view point of all stakeholders was considered before arriving at customs values of biscuits. Meanwhile, The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of methanol through Valuation Ruling No 1157/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. The item methanol is selected to determine the customs values under Section 25A of the Customs Act 1969

Published by M S Raza OďŹ&#x20AC;# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,oďŹ&#x20AC; I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

due to wide variation in declared and assessed values. The Customs values are determined for uniform application across the board. A meeting with the stakeholders, including importers and Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA) and representatives from clearance Collectorates, was held on 06.04.2017 to discuss the current international prices of the subject chemical. The stakeholders contended that the prices of methanol Pluctuate regularly in the international market and that Pluctuation can be monitored through prices quoted in ICIS Scan internationally.