KARACHI: A division bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the provisional release of auto parts held by the Pakistan Customs over valuation dispute. The court ordered the provisional release of the consignment on payment of differential amount-half to the customs and half to the court.
The court issued the directive while hearing a constitution petition filed by Noor Zeb Traders, an importer of replacement auto parts against the holding of imported consignments over what the petitioner calls arbitrary, illegal and unlawful assessment of duty based on Valuation Ruling No 661/2014 dated March 29, 2014.
According to the petitioner, he imported consignments of assorted type disc brake pads, four pieces per set, brand Asuki from China and was assessed by the customs for duty at $ 2.25 per kilogram instead of $ 1.0146 per kilogram.
Moreover, the case will be proceeded again in the court as the directorate of valuation issued another valuation ruling of auto parts on which the petitioner’s counsel once again filed a revision with the directorate of valuation. The petitioner requested the court to declare the Valuation Ruling No.661/2014 dated March 29, 2014 illegal, unlawful and against the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969.The court adjourned the hearing of the case till next date.