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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan has said that Benami Transaction Prohibition Bill 2016 has been brought before the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue for further reRinement. While responding to questions and observations of the

members of the committee here, Nisar explained different clauses and sections of the bill. He asserted that property held in benami was the cause of concern for the tax authorities. The past practice and experience showed that benami transactions had often been resorted for furthering illegal or questionable objectives, including the evasion and taxes. He observed that the assets, which were taken through illegally-earned money, couldn’t be used

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for tax evasion or something more serious like Rinancing terrorism. There is realization that Benami Transaction Prohibition Act is in practice in other countries of the region including neighboring country, whereas Pakistan is at least the decades behind. He said that Bill had been introduced to deal with the problem of tax evasion and black money especially in the real estate sector, and to target transactions that were carried out people’s names.

DG Tanvir Ahmad vows to fix values of 1,000 sensitive items soon

Faisalabad Customs adopts zero tolerance strategy for smugglers

Exports improve as country looking for new markets: Dastgir

Customs I&I impounds vehicles, items worth Rs 33m in four months

Multan Customs collects Rs 11.32 billion in 4 months

DG of Customs Valuation is trying hard to protect local market which is badly | See pAge 02 |

TheCustomsIntelligenceseizedmiscellaneous goods and non-duty paid vehicles | See pAge 03 |

Pakistani exports to other countries recorded growth in recent years as the govt | See pAge 04 |

DirectorateofCustomsIntelligencehasseized vehiclesandcontrabandgoodsworthRs33m | See pAge 14 |

The MCC has collected Rs 11.329b during the first four month from July to Oct | See pAge 16 |

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FBR to carry out taxpayers’ parametric audit selection under new policy Saturday, November 26, 2016

National

ISLAMABAD: The taxpayers’ parametric audit selection would be carried out under new Audit Policy 2016 to avoid litigation in courts.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) took decisions on the new Audit Policy 2016 during the last meeting of the Board-in-Council held at the FBR House.

During the meeting FBR Member Taxpayer Audit (TPA) made a detailed presentation on the draft Audit Policy 2016. The FBR members were informed that in the one of previous years ie tax year 2011, parametric audit selection was carried out by the FBR. However, for tax years 2012, 2013 and 2014, random audit selection was made.

Dg tanvir Ahmad vows to fix values of 1,000 sensitive items soon

ISLAMABAD

KARACHI

nAeeM uLLAH tARiQ

MuBeen HuSSAin

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he Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved a decision in a case filed by M/s Mustehkam Cement Limited challenging a tax notice issued by the Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU), Islamabad, for recovery of Rs 3.396 billion.

A single bench of the IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case.

Through the petition, the company had challenged a re-assessment of the company’s tax payments for the year 2010 under which the tax department had issued notice to recover the outstanding tax. The company had prayed the court to direct LTU not to recover the said amount and abstain it from any coercive action against it, besides asking the court to suspend the operations of impugned order until the decision is announced in the appeal pending with the LTU. M/S Mustehkam Cement submitted before the court that the impugned order was issued under mala fide intentions and had no legal standing or authority and the court may decide on relief which it deemed appropriate in this regard.

It also stated that due legal course was not followed by the department in issuing the order.

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irector General Customs Valuation Syed Tanvir Ahmad has said that the Directorate General of Customs Valuation is trying hard to protect local market which is badly affected by under valuation of the imported goods. During an exclusive interview with Customs Today, the Director General said that the Customs Valuation Department gives priority to the local manufactured items.

He said that the department has conducted several surveys and found that some industries were struggling to survive as the importers were paying less duty and taxes on imported items through under-valuations. He said that the local industry could not compete in prices with the imported goods. In this regard, the Valuation Department raises the value of a large number of items like garments, shoes, rubber thread, soap, cosmetics, shampoos, ceramics tiles, egg powder, yarn, artiRicial silk cloths, stationary, medium density Riberboard, motorcycle parts, potato chips, honey, biscuits, mobile accessories, I.V Cannula (syringes), cosmetics, toys, etc. A number of others items are being reviewed so that the value can be can be raised. In the past the Directorate General of Customs Valuation used to only issue

Rs 3.3b tax notice: iHc reserves verdict in Mustehkam cement’s case

valuation rulings of the different items on the other hand a Valuation Data Base is also being developed.

Almost 100 items have been added in the Valuation Data Base (VDB).

Besides this the valuation rulings are also being issued separately. Our endeavor is to Rix values of around 1000 sensitive items, which will signiRicantly boost the revenue. He said that it was certainly a lengthy procedure of determining the Customs

value of any item, as before doing this, the Customs authorities concerned are applying “work-back method”, contacting the stakeholders, Rix meetings, serve notices, scan data after collecting it and then decide values of the imported items.

The Director General said that the Valuation Data Base has been connected with the WeBOC system and now a pop up screen opens up as soon as relevant PCT heading is

opened by the Appraising OfRicer, which displays the VDB values. The WEBOC system is being made more better and in case if any trader Riles wrong data then the system will generate an alert to the all the ofRicers concern. He informed that the WeBOC software is one of the best in the world and the Valuation department along with the other concern departments are working on it to further increase its performance.

fto Secretariat holds awareness workshop for pindi traders

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ISLAMABAD

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ederal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Thursday organised an awareness workshop regarding its project titled “Public Awareness and Advocacy About Dispute Resolution Mechanism of Federal Tax Ombudsman” for medium and small scale enterprises at a local hotel in Rawalpindi. M Siddique, Advisor (Implementation & Monitoring),

shed light on the historical perspective of the ombudsman ofRice. He gave detailed presentation about the working of the FTO ofRice. He said at present, there are 150 ombudsman ofRices in the world.

In Pakistan, the ombudsman ofRice was established in 1983 and in year 2000, an independent ofRice of Federal Tax Ombudsman was established. He elaborated in detail the complaint Riling procedure and other available facilities provided by the FTO ofRice to aggrieved taxpay-

ers. He said the mandate of FTO ofRice is to ensure prompt and inexpensive redress of taxpayers’ genuine grievances against maladministration by the tax employees of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)/Revenue Division, Government of Pakistan. He said an average 1500 complaints annually are currently being handled by the FTO ofRices across Pakistan.

Siddique also highlighted the success stories of the FTO ofRice since its establishment in year 2000. He

said the tax-payers can Rile their complaints by courier, by hand, online or through e-mail. He said the services of FTO ofRices are free of cost, citizens friendly and the complaints are decided in 60 days. He said Form-A is available on the website (www.fto.gov.pk) of the FTO on which tax-payers can lodge their complaints. The form can also be obtained from the FTO ofRices, besides its Islamabad secretariat, located in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Sukkur, Abbottabad, Multan

and Faisalabad. The traders gave useful feedback to the FTO team.

Sheikh M. Siddique, President Central Anjuman-e-Taajran Registered Rawalpindi, Malik Arshad Awan, Present Central Anjuman-e- Taajran Rawalpindi, Chaudhry Iqbal Ahmed, President Central Anjuman-e- Taajran, Moti Bazaar Rawalpindi, Sharjeel Meer and others also addressed the event. In the end, Farhan Khan, Deputy Director Administration, FTO Secretariat, gave a vote of thanks to the traders.

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Customs values for motorcycle parts revised KARACHI: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value motorcycle parts through Valuation Ruling No 967/2016 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969.

Customs values of motorcycle parts were earlier determined vide Valuation Ruling No.685/2014, dated September 15, 2014. M/s.Memon Motors (Pvt) Ltd., M/s. Razzy Motors (Pvt) Ltd and M/s D.S. Motors (Pvt) Ltd, inter alia challenged the said valuation ruling vide Suit No. 2556/2014, 2557/2014 and 2558/2014 before the Sindh High Court.

The court suspended the said valuation ruling vide order dated: December 22, 2014.

fBR extends date for filing of income tax returns till 30th

Saturday November 26, 2016

National

faisalabad customs adopts zero tolerance strategy for smugglers

ISLAMABAD

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended date for filing of income tax returns/statements for the Tax Year 2016 up to November 30. According to an FBR income tax circular, the date of filing of returns of total Income/statement of final taxation which was due on August 31, 2016 (already extended up to November 15) has been further extended till November 30, 2016. The date of filing of returns of total income/statement of final taxation which was due on September 30, 2016 (already extended up to November 15) for Individuals and associations of persons has been further extended till November 30, 2016.

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Realtors flay collection of taxes on higher rates KARACHI

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he representatives of real estate sector, criticising the government’s decision to collect taxes on higher rates though new valuation tables from the realtors, said that the action have brought the reality businesses to a standstill. Pakistan Real Estate Industry Forum (PREIF) President Shaban Elahi and General Secretary Ghazanfer Mehboob said if genuine demands of the realtors were accepted and timely action was taken, the government’s tax collection from the sector would have increased by 500-600 per cent. They said new housing schemes are no longer viable due to lack of investors interest. Overseas Pakistanis investment in real estate has slowed down significantly and capital is shifting to other investment avenues, they lamented.

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FAISALABAD

nAeeM SHeikH

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigation seized miscellaneous goods and non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs 47,192,530 during the Rirst four months (JulyOctober) of Riscal year 2015-16 involving customs duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 18,110,903.

During an exclusive interview with Customs Today Deputy Director Muhammad Riaz Hussain said that after taking the charge of his assignment, his department started massive crackdown against smuggled goods and non-duty paid vehicles. He said that Customs Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad conducted various raids to foil smuggling attempts in the region.

However, 19 cases of smuggling were registered worth Rs. 47,192,530 against suspects during the above said period. He said that Customs Intelligence seized huge quantity of smuggled goods which includes Toyota Land Cruiser, computer system, computer printer, LCD monitors, laptops etc, and foreign origin LED different size, Indian red chillies seeds, old and used machinery, dry fruit and used tyres, foreign origin cloths, LTV and HTV tyres along with other smuggled goods.

Deputy director said that during the months of September and October Anti Smuggling Organization showed excellent performance and

impounded various non duty paid vehicles which includes Toyota Land Cruiser, Prado worth Rs 3,500,000 involving custom duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 4,000,000. The owner of these vehicles who was later identiRied as Sarfraz Muhammad failed to produce any relevant documents regarding possession of the vehicle. He said that Collectorate of Customs also seized computer systems i.e. printers, laptop worth Rs 7,500,000 which involved custom duty and

He said that customs intelligence seized huge quantity of smuggled goods which includes toyota Land cruiser, computer system, computer printer, LcD monitors, laptops etc, and foreign origin LeD different size, indian red chillies seeds, old and used machinery, dry fruit and used tyres, foreign origin cloths

pcA detects duty, tax evasion by M/s Aw impex

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KARACHI

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www.customsbulletin.com irectorate of Customs’ Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected duty and tax evasion of Rs 136,787 by M/s AW Impex, it is learnt. The ofRicial sources told Customs Today that M/s AW Impex imported two consignments of aerosol spray paints under PCT Heading 3208.9090 and cleared the same from Customs Appraisement West, Customs House, Karachi and Customs

Port Qasim, Karachi by paying customs duty @ 12.5% after claiming beneRit of SRO 659(I)/2007 dated 03.06.2007. However, the subject goods are correctly classiRiable under PCT 3208.2090 attracting customs duty @ 20% sales tax @ 17%, additional sales tax @3 % and income tax @ 6%. Thus, by way of mis-declaration of classiRication, M/s AW Impex evaded/short paid Rs 136,787. Therefore, the importer, has violated the provisions of Section 32 (1) (2) & (3A) of the Customs Act, 1969, Section 3, 6 &

7 read with Section 34 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 and Section 148 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (1), and 14 of Section 156(1) of the Customs Act 1969, Section 33(5) of the sales tax Act, 1990 and Section 148 & 182 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and section 7A of the Sales Tax Act 1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules 2007(special procedures for payment of sales tax by the importers) and under relevant provisions of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

taxes to the tune of Rs 831,000 from a suspect Shafqat Ali. He said that ASO authorities also successfully recovered 47 LEDs from Rana Electronics which is located at Sargodha Road worth Rs 940,000 involving duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 584,093. Deputy director said that customs teams also recovered 101 used tyres amounting to Rs 2,40,000 involving customs duty and taxes to the tune of Rs 1,40,000 from Muhammad Shoaib and Indian red chillies.

Dc usman tariq reshuffles 10 employees ustoms Collectorate Deputy Collector Headquarters Usman Tariq has reshuffled 10 customs employees, including six inspectors, one superintendent and three sepoy with immediate effect. The deputy collector transferred Superintendent Javed Mehmood from the auction branch to security dry port, Customs branch, and Law branch.

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Senate body discusses 24 demands from KP ISLAMABAD: Senate Special Committee on the Twenty Four Demands made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday recommended federal government ministries and departments to submit its report on the response of KPK government regarding 24 demands within one week.

KP Chief Secretary Abid Saeed presented the response of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on 24 demands before the committee. The federal ministries would submit its report on the KPK response within one week for finalization of recommendations of the special committee.

Saturday November 26, 2016

Business

exports improve as country eyes new markets ISLAMABAD

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akistani exports to other countries recorded growth in recent years as the government is looking for new destinations in East Asia and Africa to expand exports network, Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir informed the Senate on Thursday.

“In terms of quantity, we have improved 15 percent in knitwear, one percent in bedwear, three percent in towel and four percent in readymade garments though the in terms of revenue three of the four sectors showed negative growth due to global recession,” he said in re-

Business confidence index declines by 17% LAHORE

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sponse to a question during Question Hour. The minister said Pakistan has reached more destinations as “we hold on our exports as far as quantity was concerned. But, as far as revenue was concerned it could not increase due to cut in prices and

nAB chief terms corruption a hurdle in foreign investment, economic growth

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he OICCI has announced the results of the Business Confidence Index Survey conducted throughout the country in September/October 2016. Overall Business Confidence Score (BCS) remains positive, but the positivity has declined from 36 percent in April 2016 to only 17 percent in the latest survey with a drop of 19 percent.

The OICCI 2016 survey released in November shows decline in business confidence across all segments of the trade and industry.

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economic recession.” He said even big exporters like China, India, Thailand, United States and European Union have showed negative growth in terms of revenue. Mentioning to different measures, the minister said, Pakistan is going to sign a Free

Trade Agreement with Thailand and reaching out to Kenya, Nigeria and other countries in African continent. He said last year cotton exports affected due to poor crop as country had only 10 million bails that is going to improve to 11 million bails this year. “Our readymade garments sector has shown increase both in terms of quantity and revenue generation.” He said the policy of encouraging value addition to country’s cotton products is bearing fruit and now no raw cotton is exported rather goods are valueadded that support local industry as well as create opportunities for new markets. The minister also pointed out to creation of Technical Upgradation Fund to introduce new sophisticated and energy efRicient technologies in the country.

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ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry has termed corruption a main hurdle in foreign investment and economic growth. Speaking to the business community here at FPCCI, he said, “Corruption is the mother of all evils. It has very negative effects on people, society and economy. Therefore, NAB has prioritized education, awareness and prevention

over enforcement to bring a positive change in the society,” he reasoned.

FPCCI President Abdur Rauf Alam, UBG Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik, UBG’s candidate for the presidency of Apex Chamber Zubair Tufail and others were also present on the occasion.

The NAB Chairman informed that the bureau had chalked out a comprehensive National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) under which Rs278 billion had already been recovered and deposited in the national exchequer. He opined corruption was more prevalent in developing countries as compared to the developed ones, and

it adversely impacted society, governance and youth. “It is a big challenge to cope with,” he admitted. “Transparency International had dropped Pakistan’s ranking in Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 175 to 126 in 2014, and in 2015 the ranking further went down from 126 to 117, which is a great achievement,” Chaudhry said, and added, “Ranking of other regional countries remained static or declined.” On the occasion, FPCCI President Abdur Rauf Alam said corruption had very negative consequences, including reduced foreign investment.

ccp suggests govt to review telecom policy to avoid conflict KARACHI

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he Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has recommended to the government that the Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should refrain from the development of the rules as it will negate the basic purpose of the competition regime. "Empowering the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to impose ex-post behavioral remedies and obligations for competition related infringements in the telecom sector will not only create redundant duplication of jurisdictions but also engender legal uncertainty for the telecom operators and consumers as well as wastage of state resources," it said. The rules being framed by the ministry for the telecom sector may also prompt other sector specific regulators and their respective ministries to embark upon a similar course of action, to the detriment of the economy as a whole, CCP said. "The development of the rules by MoIT will result in the negation of the exclusive mandate, enforcement powers and purpose on which the whole edifice of competition regime was built by the parliament through the CA2010 and establishment of the commission," it added.

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8.78 million cotton bales arrive in market ISLAMABAD

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he Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research (NFSR) Wednesday informed that as of November 15, total cotton arrived in the market was recorded at 8.78 million bales against the set target of 11.039 million bales. “The Rinal Rigures of the arrival of cotton would come by

middle of January 2017 and it is hoped that the target would be met”, ofRicials of the ministry informed the Standing Committee on NFSR here.

The meeting was informed that last year by the said date, 8.019 million bales were arrived in the market. Meanwhile, Minister for National Food Security and Research (NFSR), Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan told the committee that the government would not allow duty free import of cotton in to the country to

protect the local cotton growers.

“The decision of imposing duty on the import of cotton can be revised only after the consumption of all locally produced cotton so that the local farmers get good price of the crop”, Bosan added. The meeting of the committee was held here under the Chairmanship of Senator Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah. Regarding Plant Breeders Right Act, the Committee Chairman directed the ministry ofRicials to prepare rules and

regulations within 2 months after the enactment of the Law and all stakeholders should be taken on board in the process. The committee was also briefed on the agenda of lowering trend of cultivating sunRlower crop. The meeting was informed that the country imports 82.3 per cent of all consumption of edible oil. The minister said that the main reason behind the lowering trend of cultivation of the crop was a hefty cut in the sunRlower crop price.

On request of Sikandar Bosan, the committee also included the agenda for next meeting to discuss the transfer of the cotton sector from textile ministry to the ministry of NFSR. “I forwarded a summary to the prime minister in this regard who referred it to the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring which rejected the summary”, Bosan said adding that he would again write a letter to the prime minister to review the decision of the committee.

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ustoms Central Region has collected Rs 5,715 million in wake of all duty and taxes during the Rirst 15 days of November 2016.

As per the details, the Lahore Customs Appraisement collected Rs 2,192 million during the said period, while Lahore Customs Preventive generated Rs 1,170 million as duty/taxes.

The Model Customs Collectorate, Multan collected Rs 1507 million under the head of duty and taxes during the period under review. The Faisalabad Customs collected Rs 843 million, which is 99 percent additional collection when compared to the previous year’s collection. The central region has been assigned Rs 13435 million revenue targets in wake of duty and taxes which are almost double than the last year target of Rs 6717 million. Sources said that all the collectors under region have been putting maximum efforts to attain as much revenue as they can achieve Rinancial year 2016-17 target and for the reason from top to bottom every ofRicial is putting hectic efforts to achieve the goal. On the other hand, Customs Central Region Chief Collector Samaira Nazir has also been personally monitoring the collection of all the four collectorates. It may be mentioned here that the region collected Rs 38.57 billion as duty and taxes during Rirst four months of Rinical year 2016-17. The Lahore Customs Appraisement collected Rs 19,145 million; the Customs Preventive collected Rs 8,593 million during the four

Saturday, November 26, 2016

months. Similarly, the Multan Customs collected Rs 7,891 million, while the Faisalabad Customs collected Rs 2,941 million as duty and taxes during the said period.

Meanwhile, The Customs Central Region has collected Rs 193 million on account of federal excise duty (FED) during the Rirst four months of Rinancial year 2016-17.

As per details, collectorate of Customs Appraisement collected Rs 34 million on account of federal excise duty during Rirst four months of the period under review while the collectorate of Customs Preventive collected Rs 101 million federal excise duty during the four months Rinancial year 201617. Similarly, collectorate of Customs Multan collected Rs 57 million federal excise duty during the Rirst four months of the current Rinancial year 2016-17.

On the other hand, the collectorate of Faisalabad collected Rs 0.07 million on account of federal excise duty during the Rirst four months of Rinancial year 201-17.

Overall the Customs Central Region collected Rs 193 million federal excise duty during the Rirst four months of Rinancial year 2016-17. The federal excise duty collected from import and export by all the four collectorate that come under the limits of Central Region. Sources told Customs Today that Chief Collector of Customs Central Region Samaira Nazir in order to meet Rinancial year’s targets has urged all the collectorates to speed up revenue collection efforts all the taxes. The collectors of all the four colletorates has also proactively started holding meeting with their subordinates in order to motivate them to do their best to achieve the Rinancial

year targets, sources said adding that the measures taken at the collectorates level have started yielding good results.

Meanwhile, The Customs Central Region collected Rs 3.458 billion in wake of sales tax during Rirst Rifteen days of November 2016.

As per the details, Collector Muhammad Sadiq’s Lahore Customs Appraisement collected Rs 1.178 billion, while the collection of Lahore Preventive collected Rs 511 million as sales tax under the supervision of Collector ZulRiqar Younis during the said period. Under the supervision of Collector Sarfraz Warriach, the Multan Customs collected Rs 1.127 billion, while the Faisalabad Customs showed outstanding performance under the guidance of Collector ZulRiqar Ali by collecting Rs 642 million that is double than the collections made during same period of last year. Overall the region collected Rs 3,458 million as sales tax revenue during the Rirst Rifteen day of Rinancial year 20161-17.

he that t e r e h as ned entio billion m 7 e 5 . b 8 r Rs 3 it may rst fou lected fi l o g c n i n s dur . the regio 16-17 d taxe 0 n 2 a r y a t du nt al ye iseme f finic a o r s p h p t the mon oms A illion; e cust r m o 5 93 h 4 a L Rs 8,5 s 19,1 d R e t d c e t e l col . collec onths entive v m e r r u p o ms s the f custo uring ustom c d n n a o i t Mul mill ion ly, the r a l 1 mill i 9 8 , Sim 7 ted Rs collec

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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

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State Bank report be taken seriously

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n its report, the State of Economy 2015-16, the State Bank of Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the increasing deterioration of the country’s economy. According to the report, the economy is facing challenges of falling exports, poor spending on the social sector and structural anomalies in the tax systems which has distorted the shape of the economy. The report, however, appreciates the government for achieving the macroeconomic stability, but there is a need to increasing volume of savings and investments. As a matter of fact, the challenges to the economy are real, but the government approach is cosmetic. The policymakers have failed to comprehend the severity of the challenges and could not pay attention to the emerging situation. They are claiming the credit for the macroeconomic stability on basis of loans the government has been able to acquire during its three-year tenure. There is also no point to boast of the foreign exchange reserves which are being kept at a comfortable level on the basis of loans and grants. The country has failed to create industrial surplus and is also facing serious trade deficit. The energy crisis has already proved to be a stumbling block in the way of industrial growth. So far, the government steps have discouraged the local investors to put their money in any meaningful project. The country has a lot of investment opportunities in every field of economy, but even the local investors are shy of taking any risk what to speak of foreign investors. The lack of coordination and cooperation within various government departments is also an area of concern.

There is no driving force to push the policymakers into running mod. Everything is going on a routine pattern and lacks energy and enthusiasm. The political leadership also lacks will or capacity to put the economy on the right track. In this situation, the report from a vital component of the federal government should be taken seriously. The report also points out a daring fact that there is no dearth of capable people in the official hierarchy who are responsive to the glaring economic situation of the country. The political leadership has been extending deadlines one after the other to rid the country of load shedding but the impact of the menace is visible in shape of falling exports.

indian hostility to mar regional peace A

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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n increasingly hostile posture by the Indian government has not only been putting a question mark on the future of Turkmenistan-AfghanistanPakistan-India gas pipeline project,but also giving a severe blow to efforts to achieve the regional integration and meet the growing demands of energy for the countries in the region. The project involves many countries, including Malaysia and China which are preparing to get their share of construction work in it. The newspaper reports suggest that the Asian Development Bank is also willing to offer $1 billion loan to Ri-

nance the project. If China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a game changer, the Tapi and Iran Pakistan gas pipelines is also a blow of fresh air for the industries in the region. However, India is not missing any opportunity to let down Pakistan at any international for a and is putting political and economic pressure on Islamabad to distract the attention of the world community from uprising in the Occupied Kashmir. The Indian army, police and paramilitary forces have let loosed a reign of terror in the Held Valley and beleaguered New Delhi government is trying its best to label Pakistan as a terrorist state. When both Pakistan and India have declared several members of the diplomatic corps of each other’s country as

persona non grata, the peace is slipping out of the hands of the world community. The Indian government has not only created a tense situation on the borders, but also in their own country by launching anti-people ventures.

However, the Tapi project is vital not only for Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also for India and it is a matter of time the Indian government would come to terms and will accept peace as the only choice. The offer of $1 billion loan is generous as the total project will cost not less than $10 billion. The United States also supports the project though that country is not happy with the corridor project between Pakistan and China. The international community should support the projects of regional

integration for peace and stability as the development of infrastructure will be in the interest of each country in the region. Turkmenistan is blessed with huge gas reserves and Russia and some European countries are gettinga lion share of it. According to experts, the interdependence of the countries will ensure peace in the region. The Islamic Development Bank has also offered $500 million loans for the project. The Turkmen government will bear 85 percentcost of the project whereas Afghanistan, Pakistan and India each will share at least 5 percentcost at their ends. Earlier, India was willing to participate in Iran, Pakistan and India gas pipeline project but backtracked at a later stage.

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Belarus PVC imports drop 16.5% in Jan-Sept MOSCOW: Imports of unmixed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into Belarus decreased to 18,500 tonnes in the first nine months of 2016, a fall of 16.5% year on year, according to MRC DataScope. According to the Statistics Committee of Belarus, local converters increased their purchases of PVC in September, when imports rose to 3,200 tonnes, compared with 2,600 tonnes in August. Lower imports in August were a result of limited export quotas for Russian producers, who are the key suppliers of the resin in the Republic of Belarus.

Demand for PVC in Belarus decreased to 18,500 tonnes in January – September 2016, compared with 22,200 tonnes a year earlier, due to a fall in export sales of finished products. Market of profile-moulded products decreased to 9,800 tonnes in January-September 2016, down by 22.2% from the same time a year earlier. Key suppliers of PVC into Belarus were producers from Russia.

pAJcci organises cross Border and B2B exhibition PESHAWAR

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he Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) organized the Cross Border B2B and Small Scale Exhibition to strengthen business ties between the two countries. The Afghan delegation and executive committee of both the chapters also visited the exhibition. Custom agent association president and PAJCCI Vice-president Ziaul Haq Sarhadi told Customs Today that the PAJCCI as part of its legacy intended to enhance and rejuvenate business ties between the two countries in specific and within the region in general. He said the PAJCCI wanted to conduct several activities to help re-establish confidence building measures. Zia Sarhadi added that the Afghan delegation attended the ‘CrossBorder B2B and Small Scale Exhibit held in Karachi, which is the first in its series

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planned for the year 2016-17.The event, he said, was held in collaboration with the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE). He said that SITE members were also doing businesses with Afghanistan whereby both quality and prices offered by the members were incomparable and would significantly add value to the exchange. Zia Sarhadi stated that the PAJCCI was determined to rejuvenate business ties between the two countries and conduct several activities to help reestablish confidence building measures and this Cross-border B2B activity was first of such measures.He said the PAJCCI would hold two stakeholder regional meetings in Dushanbe and Tashkent in the upcoming quarter to enhance regional integration.

Saturday November 26, 2016

Chambers

Lcci president invites french investors to take full advantage of cpec F

LAHORE

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rench businessmen and investors should take full advantage of Pakistan that is a profound blend of best geographical location and trade & investment opportunities. Pakistan offers a vast scope of joint ventures in the Rields of pharmaceuticals, energy, food processing, mining, oil and gas exploration. “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would be offering great advantages to the French investors.” This was stated by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Abdul Basit while talking to the Head of Economic Division, Embassy of France Philippe Fouet here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The LCCI Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan, former LCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar, Executive Committee Members Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry and Chaudhry Khadam Hussain also spoke about the nook and corner of two-way trade and economic ties.

The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that at present, there are a

number of projects being completed under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Chinese and Pakistani companies are actively engaged in these projects. It is the best time for French investors to consider Pakistan for investment purposes. He said that Embassy of France can play pivotal role in bringing new investors from France to Pakistan.

He said that Pakistan and France enjoy good diplomatic relations and have stable trade and economic ties. Among the top exporting and importing countries for Pakistan in EU after the Brexit, France is ranked at 6th and 3rd places respectively. He said that traditionally, the bilateral trade has been in favour of France except in 2013 and 2014 when Pakistan ex-

ports exceeded the imports made from France. In 2015, the value of Pakistan’s export to France was dollar 361 million in comparison to imports from France which amounted to dollar 417 million. In 2014, the level of bilateral trade went up as high as dollar 828 million but in 2015, it went down to dollar 778 million owing to 16% decrease in our exports to France.

govt to launch pM Development programme to undertake small projects

kenya imports more despite sector growth

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enya continues to import large quantities of its major crops to make up for national output shortfalls despite growth in agriculture. Many cash crops have been on their death beds for decades as the key sector crumbled under inefficiencies and mismanagement. Currently, the robust construction industry is gobbling up land previously used for coffee farming in areas such as Ruiru, Kiambu and Murang’a, compounding challenges facing the sector. With the spectre of climate change hanging in the horizon, analysts reckon drastic changes are required in the sector since only 20 per cent of Kenya’s total land area has sufficient fertility and rainfall for farming, making the country a net importer of key commodities.—CB Report

FAISALABAD

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part from the mega projects of CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor), power plants and roads etc. the present government is going to launch Prime Minister Development Program to undertake small projects which will have immediate positive impact on the common man, said Divisional Commissioner Momin Agha.

He was addressing the businessmen in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here today. He said that small projects would be undertaken in consultation with elected representative. He expressed his will that the business and trade community should also

pinpoint the schemes for the uplift of their local community in consultation with their MNA and MPA. Underlining the importance of Faisalabad, he said that CPEC has further enhanced the economic importance of Faisalabad and we are carrying out comprehensive and well integrated planning for its future development on modern scientiRic lines.

Quoting his previous visit to FCCI, he said that 70 percent of the problems identiRied in that meeting have already been solved while work on remaining is in progress. He said it is very encouraging that FCCI was not only focusing on the problems confronted by its members but was also fully participating in civic issues of this city. He told that clock tower and downtown area has symbolic representation of Faisalabad which

has now emerged as metropolitan City of central Punjab. He said that we are taking necessary steps to resolve its issues by constructing parking plazas and removing all illegal encroachments. In this connection, the business community should also contribute its role, he added. He told that a proposal is also under consideration to start a public transport exclusively for the downtown area. It will not only defuse the trafRic pressure but also facilitate the masses, he added. He told that government was also planning a modern park in the forest area of Jaranwala which will provide recreational facilities to the youth. Responding to a question about Jaranwala, he said that a proposal was under consideration to upgrade it into a separate District.

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ADC Saeed assigns additional duties to two deputy collectors Saturday November 26, 2016

National M/s Ai traders allegedly evades duty, taxes KARACHI

AftAB cHAnnA

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FAISALABAD: Model Customs Collectorate Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad has assigned additional duties to two deputy collectors with immediately effect.

According to a notification No II-A 17/2016, Deputy Collector Falik Shair has been assigned additional charge of Rebate, Refund, Auction, MIS, WeBoc Registration, Computer, Recovery, DRRA, EOU, Manufacturing Bonds and public private bonded warehouse. Furthermore, Deputy Collector Usman Tariq has been assigned a task at Headquarters, import, gate, TP, DTRE, audit of DTRE, EOU and manufacturing bonds branch Faisalabad.

Hyderabad ASo seizes goods worth Rs 32 million in oct T

HYDERABAD

irectorate of Customs’ Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected evasion of duties/taxes of Rs 78,821 by M/s AI Traders, it is learnt. The official sources told Customs Today M/s AI Traders imported two consignments of aerosol spray paints under PCT Heading 3208.9090 and cleared the same from Customs Appraisement West, Customs House through their clearing agent namely M/sShahjahan Enterprises paying customs duty @ 12.5% after claiming benefit of SRO 659(I)/2007 dated 03.06.2007. However, the subject goods are correctly classifiable under PCT 3208.2090 attracting customs duty @ 20% sales tax @ 17%, additional sales tax @3 % and income tax @ 6%. Thus, by way of mis-declaration of classification, M/s A.I. Traders evaded/short paid Rs 78,821.

Therefore, the Importer, has violated the provisions of Section 32 (1) (2) & (3A) of the Customs Act, 1969, Section 3, 6 & 7 read with Section 34 of the Sales Tax .

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customs values of honey revised he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has re-determined customs values of honey (H.S. Code 0409.0000) vide Valuation Ruling No 966/2016 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969.

The directorate earlier issued reference values for imported honey vide Valuation Database letter No.68 dated October 31, 2016. It is pertinent to mention here that no valuation ruling existed at that time and the subject goods were identified as being persistently under-invoiced at import stage. The import values were examined in the light of international prices and the local market and it was observed that import values were not corresponding to market realities. Consequent to the issuance of reference values.—Waqar Ahmed Ansari

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he Model Customs Collectorate’s Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) conRiscated smuggled items worth Rs 32.13 million from Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana during October 2016 Following the instruction of Hyderabad Customs Collector Agha Shahid majeed, the ASO teams conducted various anti-smuggling activities in order to save the national exchequer. The team conRiscated different items, including vehicles, foreign origin cloth, CNG cylinder, perfumes, auto parts, foreign origin cigarettes, electronics, medicines, gutka and other items in different raid. It seized 15,219 yards of smuggled cloth worth Rs 5.061 million, 45,944 cartons of cigarettes valued

at 13.383 million, two vehicles worth Rs 6.5 million, auto parts worth Rs 1.4 million, electronics worth Rs 692,000 and 537 bottles of perfume value Rs 434,400. Besides,

the ASO conRiscated 6,560 tablets of smuggled medicine valued at Rs 273,600, miscellaneous items including jackets, waistcoats, Rani Juices, CNG cylinderm chocolates

worth Rs 2.176 million and other items . Under the supervision of Hyderabad Customs Headquarters Additional Collector Rehmatullah Vistro and Additional Collector Omar Shafique, the ASO teams comprising Superintendent Shabir Phalphuto, Superintendent Sikander Akber Phanwar, Deputy Superintendent Anwar Ahmed Siddique, Inspector Waqar Ahmed Baig, Inspector Nazim Ali, Inspector Shakeel Khan, Inspector Ahmed Ali Shah, Inspector Karamullah Hujan, Inspector Syed Zagham Ali Shah, Inspector Shafi Muhammad Jamali, Inspector Mushtaq Ali Lakho, Sepoyes Isa Neromal, Abid Raza, Sadiq Ali, Drivers Nisar Ahmdani and Khan participated in the operations. Talking to Customs Today, customs officers said that Hyderabad Customs.

Multan customs collects Rs 3,735m revenue T

MULTAN

iMRAn ALi

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) assigned assigned Rs.3735 million revenue collection target for the month of November 2016-17 to Customs Collectorate. Sources told Customs Today that FBR has assigned Rs593 million as revenue collection target under the head of customs duty to MCC Multan for the on-going Riscal year 2016-17 while Multan Customs were given collection target of Rs.1233.2 million for the month of November during previous economic year. The Federal Board of Revenue has revised the Multan Customs target for collection of customs duty after witnessing drop in their import consignments during the last few months. The Collectorate of Multan Customs allocated collection target of Rs.3115 million under the head of sales tax during the month of November of the present Riscal year 2016-17. Although Multan Customs were allotted revenue target of sales tax

Rs.2443.11 million for November of previous economic Riscal year 2015-16. The Customs Collectorate Multan has been set revenue collection of federal excise duty (FED) of almost Rs13 million for November in the on-going Rinancial year

2016-17. While Customs Collectorate were assigned revenue collection target of federal excise duty (FED) of Rs.36 million in November of the previous monetary year 2015-16. Multan Customs allotted Rs14 million as revenue collection

target under the head of withholding for the period of November in the on-going economic year 201617 while Customs Multan were assigned target of Rs.70.69 million for the collection Withholding taxes in the Fiscal Year 2016-17.

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Faisalabad FIA arrests human trafficker from Gojra FAISALABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a human trafficker namely Ijaz Masih son of Michael Masih who is a resident of Gojra city.

Sources told Customs Today that FIA Deputy Director Syed Imam Zaidi conducted a raid along with his team and arrested the accused who was running illegal business of sending innocent people abroad after extorting big amounts from them. The accused extorted Rs 75,000 from a person for sending him to Dubai. The accused, however, failed to fulfill his commitment. The officials sent the accused behind bars after registering a case FIR No. 456/2016 against him under Section (U/S), 17/22 Immigration Ordinance (E.O) 1979.

Further investigations are still in progress till filing of this news.

Dg Shaukat assigns Maryam charge of anti-money laundering ISLAMABAD

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ustoms Intelligence and Investigation Director General Shaukat Ali tasked Assistant Director Headquarters Maryam Khalid with curbing money laundering. The DG has assigned her complete authorities in this regard, besides giving her the charge of all under-trial money laundering cases.

Customs Intelligence Deputy Director Khaldun ul Haq following the instruction of the DG has issued notification regarding the new assignment of Assistant Director Maryam. The department

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currently has a high profile and most important case of model Ayyan Ali with regard to money laundering that will now be followed by the assistant director. The Customs Intelligence has moved Islamabad High Court against Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling, Rawalpindi on not granting permission for initiating investigation in Ayyan Ali’s case. The hearing of the case is expected in last week of November 2016. Meanwhile, Maryam Khalid has started work on the case in order to defend it in the court.

The intelligence has stance that Bahria Town has already refused the story of model Ayyan Ali regarding sale of plots to collect the recovered money from her possession. The intelligence has strong belief that recovered amount is of money laundering; therefore, permission should be granted for investigations. Ayyan Ali was arrested by the Customs officials at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport following the recovery of $506,800, which is the exact amount of money she allegedly tried to smuggle out of the country.

National

Sialkot custom to hold workshop on weBoc

fBR to enhance feD on cigarettes from 30th ISLAMABAD

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while using it. The participants will also be informed about beneRits of the WeBOC system in trade-related activities. Fahad Bashir said that the customs arranged such sessions following the directions of the Federal

he Federal Board of Revenue has decided to increase Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes with effect from November 30. According to FBR spokesman Dr Muhammad Iqbal, the Board is surging FED on cigarettes while acting on the announcement made in the Finance Act 2016. Dr Iqbal said that the FED on locally-produced higher tier cigarette brands will be increased from Rs3,436 to Rs3,705 per 1,000 sticks and on locally-produced lower tier cigarette brands, from Rs1,534 to Rs1,649 per 1,000 sticks. The cigarette manufacturers will have to pay duty on the basis of increased rates for cigarettes sold on or after December 1, 2016, he added. From November 30, 2016, the rate of FED would be Rs3,705 per thousand cigarettes for tier-I slab and FED would be Rs1,649 per thousand cigarettes for tier-II slab of cigarettes. Through Finance Act 2016, the rates of FED on cigarettes were increased on a biannual basis. The measure was enforced through SRO 473(I)/2016 effective from June 4, 2016.

According to S.R.O.473(I)/2016, the rate of duty would be Rs3,436 per thousand cigarettes on locally produced cigarettes if their on-pack printed retail price exceeds Rs4,000 per thousand cigarettes.

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SIALKOT

ncharge of Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) system at Sialkot Customs Assistant Collector Fahad Bashir Chaudhary has said that an awareness programme regarding WeBOC will be arranged for exporters and importers on November.

Talking to Customs Today he said that the customs has invited the representatives of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and other associations related to exports in the meeting, which is going to be held at Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT). He said that Sialkot Customs Collector Ahmed Reza Khan will preside over the meeting.

SCCI President Majid Raza Bhutta, SDPT Chairman Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) chairman and heads of trade organisation will be special invitees in the meeting, he said. The customs ofRicers and WeBoc Systems operators will give awareness to the exporters and importers, who are facing hardship

Saturday November 26, 2016

Board of Revenue (FBR) to make the latest technologies familiar with the traders. Literature i.e. guidance book and other printed material will also be distributed among the participants.

Sialkot ASo seizes smuggled indian red chilli

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SIALKOT

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he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) has conRiscated smuggled Indian origin red chilli worth Rs 70,000 during a raid on Sambrial-Sialkot Road.

Following the directions of Sialkot Customs Collector Ahmed Reza Khan, ASO incharge Assistant Collector Fahad Bashir Chaudhary is dealing with the matters of ASO and making efforts to improve the performance of the department.

Fahad Bashir ordered Superintendent Sardar Manzoor to constitute a team to check vehicles on

roads and curb smuggling. The superintendent constituted a team under the supervision of Inspector Aftab Ahmed who along with his staff started checking vehicles on Sambrial-Sialkot Road.

The team intercepted a van coming from Mirpur (AJK) for checking and recovered Indian origin red chilli worth Rs 70,000. The ofRicials asked drive named Shafqat about booking documents of recovered items, but he could not produce the same. The driver told the team team that red chilli was loaded from van stand of Mirpur (AJK). The customs ofRicials taking action conRiscated the Indian origin red chilli under the customs laws and shifted the

items to custom warehouse. The customs will issue legal notice to van stand manager as per Customs Act, 1969 after registering a case against the accused person. OfRicials said that the case will be sent to the Customs Adjudication for further proceedings against the suspect, adding that the department will auction the red chilli, if the decision is announced in favour of the department. They informed that the customs has released the driver after proper interrogation. Meanwhile, Incharge of Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) system at Sialkot Customs Assistant Collector Fahad Bashir Chaudhary has said that an awareness programme regarding

WeBOC will be arranged for exporters and importers on November 16, 2016 (today). Talking to Customs Today he said that the customs has invited the representatives of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and other associations related to exports in the meeting, which is going to be held at Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT). He said that Sialkot Customs Collector Ahmed Reza Khan will preside over the meeting. SCCI President Majid Raza Bhutta, SDPT Chairman Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) chairman and heads of trade organisation will be special invitees in the meeting, he said.

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Demand for French dairy soars in Middle East Saturday November 26, 2016

World

PARIS: Demand for French dairy soars in the Middle East; Saudi Arabia, the largest ME importer of French dairy products, with a total of US$143.5 million The Middle East is one of the largest importers of French dairy products according to the latest research from the country’s official cheese board, the Centre National Interprofessionnel de l’Economie Laitière(CNIEL). The research puts the Middle East ahead of China (US$354m), North America (US$270m), Switzerland (US$137m) and Australia (US$30m).

Edwina Salvatori, Account Director, SOPEXA Middle East said: “As the number of French cheese exporters continues to grow, the market is becoming highly competitive and responsive to consumer needs.

Shenzhen customs seizes tonnes of smuggled old clothes

taiwan man sentenced for smuggling drugs TAIPEI

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SHENZHEN

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early 450 out of 1,046 tons of discarded clothes smuggled from overseas were transported for incineration from Tuyang port in Shenzhen on Thursday in Shenzhen Customs’ latest crackdown on solid waste smuggling. Customs also arrested six suspects involved in the case, including one Taiwanese.

The 441 tons of waste were Rirst seized by the Shenzhen border force on Sept 4 on a vessel from Hong Kong, where they were loaded, Wang Mingwei, an anti-smuggling ofRicial from customs, said. The vessel was originally bounded for Taiwan, but the suspects changed the route on the way and drove the vessel into the Shenzhen sea area where it was seized, he said. The illegal items and suspects were then sent to Shenzhen

Russia commits $2.5b imports from philippines ussia has committed to significantly boost its imports from the Philippines to about $2.5 billion following bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting here. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the first meeting between President Duterte and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in this Peruvian capital turned out “good” as both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. Lopez said Russia has offered the Philippines potential trade and investment partnerships in the fields of energy, machine engineering, energy equipment, railway, monorail and port infrastructure. Russia has likewise agreed to import $2.5 billion worth of the country’s agricultural products, the Trade chief said.—CB Report

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Customs for investigation. In a separate case in June, 605 tons of smuggled discarded clothes were seized.

The waste was burned in August. The two cases are the biggest in terms of the amount involved over recent years, customs said. According to a

suspect, the discarded clothes were mainly collected from Japan and South Korea and were intended to be sold to the mainland market. OfRicials said the exact destination is yet unknown, as the case is still under investigation.

parkmead hails Dutch success, north Sea expansion

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arkmead Group Plc (LON:PMG) chairman Tom Cross says it has been an excellent year, despite the challenges of the low oil price environment. The North Sea growth company today conRirmed it remained cash Rlow positive since January, on an operating basis, whilst highlighting expansions to the portfolio and progress for key Rield development programmes. Notably Parkmead had increased its interests in the Polecat and Marten Rields, and separately in-

creased their holdings in the Perth and Dolphin Rields. Perth and Dolphin are said to be core to Parkmead’s planned Perth-Dolphin-Lowlander or PDL oil hub project – a fully appraised project with some 80mln barrels of recoverable oil reserves – whereas Polecat and Marten are signiRicant because they are close enough to PDL that they could also be developed. On the exploration front, Parkmead secured access to the high impact potential of the Sanda.—CB Report

Superior Court of Guam judge sentenced a Taiwanese man to 15 months in local prison Monday after he pleaded guilty to drug possession.

Yu-Yang Lin, 27, said at a sentencing hearing Monday that his trip to Guam in October last year was his Rirst time here. He was caught with about Rive grams of methamphetamine and multiple glass pipes coming off a China Airlines Rlight that originated in Taipei, Taiwan, court document state.

Lin also reportedly told authorities his purpose was to come to Guam to set up a computerized phishing operation to commit fraud, court papers state. Phishing is when victims are scammed into revealing personal information that can be used for identify theft.

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Lin’s attorney, Stephen Hattori, executive director for Public Defender Service Corporation, said he’s already been in prison for 390 days. Judge Vernon Perez gave Lin credit for time served, which means he has about a little over two months left before his sentence is complete. Lin said, through a translator, that since he’s been in Guam’s prison, his drug problem has been totally cleared. He said that he knows he did a terrible thing and begged the judge to let him return home. Hattori said Lin, who does not understand or speak English, will likely be deported after serving his prison time.

“He’ll probably still be likely to be deported under the governor’s mission to extradite individuals,” Hattori said. “I’ve spoken with a couple case workers from the Department of Corrections and they believe he would be eligible for deportation or extradition after serving half of whatever sentence the court proposes.”

chicken imports damage Astral ntegrated poultry producer and animal feed supplier, Astral Foods, reported yesterday a 50 percent plunge in operating proRit for the year to September with local poultry producers warning that imports would cause further damage if the local industry was not protected. Astral Foods’ chief executive, Chris Schutte, said the company saw its operating proRit for the year declining from R1.1 billion last year to R549 million at the end of September with the poultry division deteriorating 91.1 percent during the period. “My biggest worry is the job losses to the local producers especially those ones in the rural ar-

eas where unemployment is rampant,” Schutte said. Schutte’s concerns come in the wake of US chicken imports hitting South African supermarket shelves in March, for the Rirst time in 15 years, ending a protracted trade dispute and ensuring that the country will continue to receive trade beneRits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). He said the country saw record levels of poultry imports during the year peaking at 57 700 tons in March. “This was equivalent to approximately 10.3 million birds per week produced and represents approximately 55 percent of local production,” he added.—CB Report

germany to repatriate about 12,000 Afghans

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KABUL

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ome 12,500 Afghans whose asylum applications have been rejected will be deported from Germany, a report says. Repatriations to Afghanistan are a controversial issue owing to the fragile state of security in the country.

Around 12,500 Afghan migrants to Germany are to be repatriated despite the civil war still raging in parts of their home country, a newspaper report said on Thursday.

According to the report in the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung,” which cited a German government document, the Interior Ministry estimates that 5 percent of the almost 247,000 Afghans who had reached

Germany by the end of September will probably have to leave.

The government statement justiRies the planned move by saying that security was guaranteed in Afghanistan’s larger cities. “A worsening of the security situation in the entire country cannot be conRirmed,” the newspaper cited the document as saying. The document said the Federal OfRice for Migration

and Refugees (BAMF) would, however, handle applications for asylum

by Afghans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the risks faced by each applicant. Some migrants were expected to return of their own accord, it said, but noted that other removals might be by force.

The document is the response by the government to a question posed by the hard-left Left party.

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Faisalabad ASO confiscates items worth Rs 6.5m in 7 days FAISALABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) seized smuggled items worth Rs 6.566 million and registered three cases of smuggling during the first week of November 2016. According to details, Deputy Collector Rizwan Khan conducted raids against smugglers and impounded a non-duty paid vehicle worth Rs 6 million under Section 16 of the Customs Act, 1969. The officials impounded the vehicle after the driver failed to show the documents regarding legal import of the vehicle. The ASO also confiscated 778 kilogramme of foreign origin cloth worth Rs 466,800 and miscellaneous items worth Rs 100,000 during the said period. The officials seized the items under prevailing customs laws and registered cases against the culprits.

gujranwala customs intelligence impounds vehicle, 3,300-yard cloth

Saturday November 26, 2016

National

fBR clears Rs 21 billion tax refunds: ishaq Dar

nisar khan making hectic efforts to overcome revenue shortfall ISLAMABAD

SIALKOT

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Gujranwala, team has confiscated 3,300 yard of smuggled cloth, besides impounding a vehicle being used for transportation of smuggled items. Following the directions of Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan, Superintendent Tariq Rafique constituted a team under the supervision of Intelligence Officer Nasarullah to check vehicles at Gujranwala General Bus Stand in order to curb smuggling attempt. The said intelligence officer along with his team members, including Constables Usama, Sajid Raza, Boota and others started checking of vehicles on bus stand, meanwhile the officials intercepted a vehicle bearing Registration No LEH-12-0715 and team checked the vehicle that led to the recovery of 3300 yards of cloth worth Rs 300,000. The team asked driver Rafique to show documents regarding legal import of the cloth.

ollowing direction of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan has initiated hectic efforts to meet the revenue targets for running fiscal year and overcome the prevailing shortfall. The chairman has also directed all chief commissioners and chief collectors to take extra-ordinary measures for enhancing revenue collection in order to overcome the shortfall. The chairman and Inland Revenue-Operation (IR) Member Dr Muhammad Irshad had decided to put special focus on Karachi to generate more revenue. Sources said that Nisar Muhammad Khan and Dr Irhsad will visit Karachi in this week. Irshad will leave for Karachi today, while Nisar Khan would go on tomorrow. The member will hold meetings with chief commissioners of Regional Tax Offices (RTOs), Corporate RTOs and Large Taxpayers Units (LTUs) and review their efforts and performance regarding tax collections. He will also guide the tax officials for improve the tax collections. The visit of both high ups of FBR held great significance, as they will also hold meetings with business community and representatives of banking sector, the sources said, adding that the visit was scheduled for last week.

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faisalabad ASo impounds non duty paid toyota noah he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) impounded a non duty paid foreign origin Toyota Noah worth Rs 2,500,000 involving customs duty amounting to Rs 1,800,000 during an action. Sources told Customs Today that following information, Additional Collector Saeed Asad constituted a team comprising Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya, Inspector Khalid Ashraf Noor, Mahmood Ahmad Dogar, Ali Zahid, Sepoys Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Yaseen, Liaqat Ali and Muhammad Ashraf. The intercepted a Toyota Noah near Shell Petrol Pump Jaranwala Road. The ASO team asked the driver who is identified as Ali Akbar son of Muhammad Rafique regarding possession and transportation of above said vehicle.—Naeem Sheikh

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ederal Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had cleared sales tax refund claims of Rs 21 billion which would be electronically transferred in the accounts of tax payers within next 24 hours.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of ‘direct electronic credit of sales tax refund system’, he said total Rs 25 billion refund claims were

pending from June 2015 to June 30, 2016. Claims for Rs 21 billion had been processed while those of about Rs 3.5 billion would be transferred in the accounts of respective tax payers within a week by addressing all the issues and modalities, he added. The direct electronic credit refund method has been developed by the FBR in collaboration of the State Bank of Pakistan.

The minister said the new refund payment system would bring transparency by minimizing direct human interactions. It would also save the time of tax payers, besides strengthening the FBR by improving its governance structure, he

added. He said Rs 22 billion refund claims were also cleared in August as the prime minister had announced to clear all refunds by October. The minister said in 2013, the government had inherited pending refunds of Rs 211 billion and it had committed to clear all the refund claims within minimum time, besides zero rating for five export sectors. The government, he said, was taking several steps for institutional reforms in order to improve the governance system and bring transparency and sustainability. He said the government had introduced Companies Ordinance 2016.

SHc seeks rejoinder from merchants for goods’ release

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the petitioners to a Rile rejoinder on the next date of hearing on a constitutional petition Riled by Pakistan Kiryana Merchants Association, Amir Corporation, Uzair Enterprises, Al-Khybar Tea and Foods and Makhas Impex, seeking release of their consignments of dry copra and related items which were allegedly declared pro-

hibited for import by the Plant Protection Department and customs authorities. A two-member bench comprising Justice Irfan Sadat Khan and Justice Muhammad Humayun Khan was hearing the constitutional petition. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner sought time to submit rejoinder, therefore, court granted time and adjourned the hearing for date in ofRice which would be announced by ofRice of the SHC. It needs to be pertained here that on last date of hearing deputy attorney general had appeared be-

fore the court and submitted para wise comments which was taken on record by the court.

In a report, custom authorities had informed the SHC that fresh coconut, desiccated coconut and copra/ dry copra are after all material of coconut palm, the degree of processing of fresh coconut for making desiccated coconut and copra does not rule out probability of infestation/ infection of quarantine diseases and pests with them and even after processing, these commodities are regulated goods and capa-

ble of pathway for quarantine diseases and pests and hence which are complete prohibition under rule 21 of Pakistan plant quarantine rule 1967 read with section 3 of Pakistan plant quarantine act, 1976.

Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated petitioner have imported the consignments of dry copra and related items which have been arrived on northern power of Pakistan international container terminal and they Riled goods declarations and requested the customs authorities for releasing of said consignments.

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FIA arrests notorious human trafficker from Gujrat Saturday November 26, 2016

Lahore

LAHORE: A team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a proclaimed offender and human trafficker in an intelligence-based operation.

Sources told Customs Today that the anti-human trafficking cell of the agency raided a locality in Gujrat and arrested an accused who was identified as Azhar Iqbal. The FIA has registered a case against the culprit under sections of human smuggling and fraud with citizens.

Arrested accused were involved in sending innocent citizens to foreign countries on bogus documents and also looted millions of rupees in frauds on the wake of sending them abroad. FIA also recovered passports and currency of different countries from his possession.

customs court adjourns cell phones’ smuggling case

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LAHORE

M iMRAn MeHAR

www.customsbulletin.com he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling adjourned the hearing of mobile phones’ smuggling case.

Earlier, the court had approved extension in judicial remand of an accused who was arrested by the customs authorities from Allama Iqbal International Airport while making an attempt to smuggle cell phones from China to Lahore. The Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) team of Lahore Customs had presented the accused Naveed Bhatti before the special court and asked for his physical remand of five days. After completion of physical remand, the court sent him to jail for judicial trial which was extended again for 14 days. The Customs Preven-

pRA to bring 70 new restaurants under RiMS he Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has decided to broaden its network in Faisalabad and has shortlisted 70 restaurants to bring them into the network in coming days. Sources told Customs Today that the PRA has checked almost 70 restaurants in posh areas of that city which are providing expensive food to citizens and are earning millions of rupees but not registered for the sales tax. These restaurants will increase the revenue of the authority in coming days as it has already increased in past two years. Restaurant invoice monitoring system will be installed in all restaurants that are providing services in posh areas of Faisalabad. Meanwhile PRA has also started crackdown against restaurants that are failed to submit their taxes despite receiving notices. —M Imran Mehar

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tive staff arrested the accused following the recovery of 170 android mobile phones of assorted types worth Rs 5 million from his luggage at Lahore airport. The mobile phones were hidden in bottles of water which the passenger claimed that he brought that water from Saudi Arabia, it was added. The customs authorities after seizing the mobiles registered a case against him and further prosecution is still underway.

Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has adjourned the hearing of a case filed against a suspect involved in tax evasion of Rs 209 million. Sources told Customs Today that Tashreef Javed son of Khadim Hussain, Director M/s Hussain Cane (Private) Limited, was arrested by the Customs Appraisement Lahore on the charges of tax evasion.

customs impounds vehicles, seizes items worth Rs 33m

LAHORE

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M HAYAt

www.customsbulletin.com irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation has seized vehicles and contraband goods worth Rs 33 million involving duty and taxes worth Rs 28,576,233 during the Rirst four

months of the Rinancial year 201617. As per details, the directorate seized seven non-duty paid vehicle worth Rs 8,200,000 involving duty and taxes of Rs 14,056,000 while 1,321 yard illegally imported cloth was also seized. The value of the cloth was determined at Rs 647,000 involving duty and taxes of Rs 298,275. On the other hand the di-

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rectorate seized 70 tyres and tubes worth Rs 3500,000 involving duty and taxes worth Rs 1,434,727 while the directorate seized auto parts worth Rs 1,171,200 involving Rs 841013 duty and taxes. The directorate seized Rs 28800 mobil oil involving Rs 166,711 duty and taxes.

Similarly, the directorate impounded Rs 16,229,030 miscellaneous goods and articles that involved Rs 7,011,109 duty and taxes.

Over the entire directorate seized Rs 33 million contraband goods and vehicle involving Rs 28,576,233 million duty and taxes. Sources told Customs Today that newly posted Director Customs Intelligence Zeba Hai Azhar has issued strict instructions for the ofRicials serving the anti-smuggling unit and car cell to increase number of crackdowns on the elements involved in car and other goods and items smuggling. After receiving these instructions customs teams already expedited their efforts to curb smuggling in the region.

Rangers Dg gives away certificates pakistan has highest VAt rate in region akistan has the highest value plementation of VAT. The ACCA is the to officials for combating smuggling added tax (VAT) in the region global body for professional ac-

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unjab Rangers Director General Umer Farooq Burki has awarded certiRicates among the Ranges’ personnel’s who performed outstanding in combating and taking excellent measures against smuggling across the boarder along sides the Indian border. During a two-day commando conference which was presided over by director general, top ofRicials of Rangers discussed professional, managerial and welfare affairs besides reviewing boarders’ exist and

entrance vigilance. The DG expressed his satisfaction over the training and preparations of the Punjab Rangers and instructed them to be ready to face every kind of challenging situation. The DG also instructed the Ranger personnel’s to respond every action of the enemy against the country on the working boundaries with full force.

The DG Umer Farooq Burki gave away certiRicates to the Rangers’ ofRicials for outstanding performance against the smuggling.—M Hayat

(South Asia) and the UAE. This was revealed in a report titled “Indirect Taxes: Current Trends across South Asia and UAE” by ACCA (the Association of Chartered CertiRied Accountants). The report claimed that VAT rates range from the highest of 17 percent in Pakistan to lowest of 5 percent expected in the UAE on January 1, 2018. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India have rates between the two poles. The report was launched on Tuesday in which Rinance professionals and ACCA members discussed insights on the effective im-

countants. It offers business-relevant, Rirst-choice qualiRications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world, who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, Rinance and management. The report further revealed that the rise of consumerism in the region, the growing middle class with spending power, lifestyle spending and urbanisation was fuelling demand driven economies. The report also presented around 11 recommendations including deploying professionals, incentivising taxpayers.—CB Report

pcA unearths duty, tax evasion by pakistan Mobile

D LAHORE

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

irectorate of Customs Post Clarence Audit (PCA) has unearthed duty and tax evasion

by M/s Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited Lahore by way of misclassiRication of servers from telecommunication use as servers

for computers.

The PCA has informed the importer of the clearance data effected from Customs Collectorate Lahore during January 2012 onward has revealed that the importer got clearance imported server for telecommunication use by mis-classifying under PCT heading 8471.5000 as server for computers, paying CD @ 0 percent, one percent and two per-

cent instead of classifying under correct PCT heading 8517-6290 (other machines for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus) attracting CD @ 20 percent. It was said that the company deposited short payment worth Rs 13,895,508. The PCA has asked the company to pay the evaded amount of duty and taxes.

The PCA said that in case the company does not agree with the audit observation, the company has to provide a written clariRication along with the supporting documents as well as all related import documents including copies of goods and declaration, commercial / pro forma invoices, L/Cs packing lists, contracts, purchase orders, catalogue/ literature.

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Port of Walla Walla approves 2017 tax levy rate WASHINGTON: The Port of Walla Walla will collect about $50,000 more in property taxes in 2017 after approving its tax levy rate for the new year. During their Thursday meeting, Port commissioners Mike Fredrickson and Ron Dunning unanimously approved a resolution establishing the 2017 tax levy to include additional property taxes from new construction plus a 0.953 percent inflationary adjustment over 2016. Commissioner Peter Swant was absent from the meeting. A public hearing on the proposal drew no comments. The 2017 tax levy includes additional taxes resulting from new construction, property improvements, newly constructed wind turbines, solar, biomass and geothermal facilities, any increase in the value of state assessed property, and refunds to be made.

kattupalli port cargo volume rises 220% &T Kattupalli Port, run by the Adani group, has posted 220 per cent increase in its container volume during the first six months of 2016-17. The Kattupalli port cashed in on the congestion issue that is plaguing Chennai Port which reported a 2.5 per cent decline during the same period. From April to September 2016, L&T Kattupalli Port handled 1.80 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units of containers (TEUs) against 56,450 TEUs for the same period last year.

The company officials attributed the volume increase to introduction of new services. “We have added four new vessel services this year namely, Maersk Line’s Colombo Salalah Shuttle service which

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shifted from Chennai Port to Kattupalli completely in April,” said a senior port official. “In addition to this, the other services we are handling are the Chennai Colombo Gulf service operated by Evergreen Line and Simatech, MD1 – Singapore Port Klang feeder operated by BTL, Wanhai and OOCL and ACS service operated by HMM Line. “We have got six weekly vessel calls connecting coastal ports and global transshipment ports thereby acting as an ideal gateway for the domestic and Exim trade in this region,” the official said. Adani group’s is expected to give a tough competition to Chennai Port in the coming days once Adani’s new container terminal at Kamarajar Port will be commissioned in the next few months. With this, the total cargo handling capacity of Adani group at Kamarajar Port and Kattupalli Port will touch 2.8 lakh TEUs per annum.—CB Report

Ports & Shipping

port of San Diego approves $1.2b seaport redevelopment

Veracruz port expands to support manufacturing demand exico is surging ahead with the dramatic expansion of the Port of Veracruz in preparation for the trade increase expected from the country’s growing manufacturing base, especially car makers. The Mexican government, as part of its project to build a new facility next to the existing Gulf of Mexico port, will hear presentations next week from bidders looking to build a nearly 1,000-foot long section of quay. The government is also seeking bids for five new terminals — including one for containers, and others for farm and mineral bulk goods. Mexican authorities say they expect to begin dredging in December, a schedule that should make the first berth ready for operation by the spring of 2018. Last week, the head of the Mexican Ports and Merchant Marine department, reiterating his commitment to the project, outlined a vision of a “world class logistical center” that would meet the needs of shippers for the next century.—CB Report

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WASHINGTON

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

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evelopers also must also get the California Coastal Commission’s approval of the project. Port ofRicials began negotiating with Protea back in July, dispensing with the usually cumbersome development process. Still, they warned Protea that the process would be thorough. OfRicials told the developer that if they couldn’t come to an agreement on costs and key design issues, they would start negotiating with other development teams.

Seaport San Diego will feature a 1,077-room Virgin Hotel including 350 Yotel microroom units as well as retail, dining and entertainment. The development will also include ofRice space for port businesses, a charter school, a 480-foot observation tower, an aquarium and a beach-level park.

It will also include upgraded port facilities for the commercial Rishing Rleets and personal watercraft that utilize them. The port will take in an estimated $22 million in rent each

Saturday November 26, 2016

year by the time the 10-year project is complete, according to the UnionTribune. Seaport Village currently provides the port district with an annual rent of $2.5 million. Meanwhile, The government will give utmost priority in developing Rive ports in Mindanao to accommodate more trafRic and help further boost the country’s output. Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said over the

weekend his group has created a Port Infrastructure Development Plan, which identiRied Rive priority ports for modernization, namely, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iloilo and Zamboanga. These are considered international gateways as of this writing. “We are developing these ports, as these handle majority of our import and export product not only within Asean but also worldwide,” Santiago said.

port of kalama plans big capital projects T

WASHINGTON

cuStoMS BuLLetin RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

he Port of Kalama adopted a $44.4 million budget this week that includes ambitious plans for new industrial buldings, completing the McMenamins hotel and restaurant and building facilities for the proposed methanol reRinery at the north port. Next year’s budget is a 52 percent increase over the 2016 budget, which was $29.2 million. The biggest chunk of the 2017 budget is the $32 million the port plans spend on capital projects.. The port expects to Rinance those project partly out of revenues, which are projtect to total $14.4 million nexst year. But it also expects to sell $30 million in bonds to raise money for the work.

Port Commissioner Randy Sweet said Friday that port may not actually need to sell all $30 million worth

of bonds. Some of the spending plans hinge on whether the methanol plant gets all the necessary approvals. The port has to conservatively plan for the large-scale expenses anyways, he said. In the north port area, where Steelscape is located and where the methanol plant would go, the port expects to spend $1 million building a second dock and $2 million on construction a new water well system. This month, port contractors completed construction of two new warehouses on Steelscape property to accommodate the methanol plant. The $4.5 million project was paid for largely with cash reserves, and part of the bonds the port will take out next year will help to pay the port back for those expenses, Sweet said. The 2017 budget also includes $8 million for new light industrial buildings near the Owens-Illinois glass plant at the mouth of the Kalama

River. The buildings will allow the port meet growing interest in its properties from prospective new tenants. Commissioners in September awarded a $588,000 design contract for 120,000 building to Longview-based Collins Architectural Group. “Our buildings are full so we’ve got to put up that new building we’ve actually got people actually knocking on our door,” Sweet said. Construction of the much-anticipated McMenamins hotel and restaurant will cost the port an estimated $6.8 million next year.

(However, the port already has spent money on foundation work, and it has conservatively planned to spend $8.2 million on the project over this year and next.) Once the port completes the shell of the hotel and restaurant, McMenamins will spend an additional $3 million customizing the space. In anticipation of longterm growth, the port also expects to

spend $5 million to develop utilities, roads and infrastructure at the future site of Spencer Creek Business Park east of Interstate 5. Next year, anglers and boating enthusiasts also will notice some big changes to the port’s decades-old marina as the port expects to spend $3.5 million marina renovation project. “It’s not a huge revenue generator, but it’s a very muc- loved marina and it’s time we do something with it,” Sweet said.

While the port’s capital budget is set to expand, the operating budget actually will drop slightly from $7 million this year to $6.4 million next year due to lower dredging costs.

Meanwhile, It’s not just Republican neo-Confederate insiders making bank off of South Carolina’s government-run port. According to our sources, the S.C. State Ports Authority (SCSPA) has had a contract with The Podesta Group in Washington, D.C. for several years.

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Gujranwala Customs Intelligence impounds Toyota Prado SIALKOT: The Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Gujranwala, impounded a non-duty paid Toyota Prado, owned by a bureaucrat, during an action at Kamoke check post. Following the directions of Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan, Superintendent Tariq Rafique ordered Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Sarwar to constitute a team to check vehicles on road. The deputy superintendent constituted a team under the supervision of Intelligence Officer Syed Majid Raza, comprising constables Usama, Sajid Raza and Mubashir who started checking of vehicles on Grand Trunk (GT) Road, Gujranwala.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Multan customs collects Rs 11.32 billion in 4 months MULTAN iMRAn ALi

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he Model of Customs Collectorate has collected Rs 11.329 billion during the Rirst four month (from July to October) of the current Riscal year, 2016-17. The Multan Customs collected Rs 16.561 billion during the same period of the last Riscal year, 2015-16. It made revenue collection of taxes under the head of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal excise duty.

It generated Rs 1726.495 million on imported goods in wake of customs duty during the said period of running month, while the same stood at Rs 2626 million during last year. The collectorate observed decline in the collection of customs duty as compared to previous year due to less import clearances from Multan Dry Port.

It collected Rs 6029.366 million in the wake of sales taxes, while it made collection of Rs 13797 million under the same head during four months of previous of Riscal year.

There are multiple factors involved in decreasing sales tax collection, including less clearances of diesel

through the dry port.

The Multan Customs collected Rs 57.324 million in the wake of federal excise duty during July to October 2016 whereas it collected Rs 38 million during same period of last year.

It also collected Rs 78.474 million under the head of income tax in Rirst four months of running Riscal year. But the Multan Customs made

collection of Rs 100 million as income tax during last year.

Besides these tax collections, it collected additional duty taxes to the tune of Rs 7.862 million and petroleum development levy amounting to Rs 3429.766 million during the said period of this year.

Meanwhile, The Customs Collectorate Multan has received the

Forensic Laboratory examination report of 35 conRiscated vehicles.

The Forensic Laboratory experts conducted examination of 35 vehicles seized by the Anti-Smuggling Organization in their different actions. These seized foreign origin vehicles were forwarded to Customs Adjudication for their proper trial and after conclusion of their

trial these confiscated vehicles were lying in the State Warehouse of Multan Customs. The Customs Collectorate of Multan has successfully conducted tests of these 35 confiscated vehicles which were lying at State ware House of Customs and Multan Dry Port. Experts of the laboratory have carried out vehicles examination on the request of Multan Customs which include Toyota Hilux Surf, Toyota Hiace, Honda Civic, Land Cruiser, Vitz, Mazda Titan,Vigo, Mercedez Benz and others. Four confiscated vehicles out of 35 were found tampered from their chassis during the Forensic examination of the Laboratory experts.

These four tampered vehicles were found cut and weld during the forensic examination of experts.

The Customs authorities are carrying out legal process for documentation of the confiscated vehicles to present them in the public auction held very soon. The purpose of the laboratory examination of the Customs is to decide about the confiscate vehicle whether it should be auctioned or dismantled. The experts have done comprehensive inspection of the seized vehicles during their inspection. Forensic examination is the necessary requirement for the auction of any confiscated vehicle before auction.

customs valuation of various types of speakers, horns revised KARACHI

wAQAR AHMeD AnSARi www.customsbulletin.com

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irectorate of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of car speakers, horns, loud speakers and wall-mounted/ceiling/column speakers, (low-end brands) Valuation Ruling No 971/2016 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969. The customs values above mentioned items were

earlier determined vide Valuation Ruling No.656/2014. The values required revision in line with the prevailing prices in the international market. Different meetings with stakeholders were held and a Rinal meeting was held on 26-07-2016. Importers had been requested to furnish the following documents before or during the course of meeting: Invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value. Websites, names and E-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual

current value can be ascertained.

Copies of Contracts made /LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question. Copies of Sales Tax Invoices issued during last four months showing the difference in price (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate that the beneRit of difference in price is passed on to the local buyers. The meeting was attended by the importers and the ofRicers from Rield formations. No documents were submitted in the Directorate General on or even after the said scheduled meetings.

During the meeting importers

were of the view that the values of these items have considerably reduced in the international market as compared to the values determined in the existing valuation ruling.

Importers requested that market inquiry shall be conducted from valuation methods given in Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969 were followed to arrive at customs values of different types/brands car speakers, horns, loud speakers and wallmounted/ceiling/column peakers, (low end brands). Transaction value method provided in Section

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

25 (1) was found inapplicable owing to wide variation in the values being declared to the customs. Identical/similar goods value methods provided in Section 25 (5) & (6) were examined for applicability to the valuation issue in the instant case which provided some reference values of the subject goods but the same could not be exclusively relied on due to wide variation in the local market. The market inquiry was conducted of the above mentioned items of different brands, types and sizes from different shops in Karachi.