Narsingdi Sadar’s Jewel Textiles brought an additional 50 tonnes of threaded nuts from China by announcing the import of second-hand loom machines. By importing these products without declaration, the importer tried to evade the duty of Tk 77 lacs 17 thousand and 100. Earlier, Saikat Trading, a C&F agent nominated by the importer, filed a bill of entry on 29 August last year to unload the consignment. The number of the bill of entry was 1408248. The customs authority issued a show-cause notice against the company for bringing the undeclared goods.
After reviewing the company’s answer to the show cause and reviewing the hearing, the customs authority found evidence of tax evasion by bringing in additional goods. Later, on 4 January, Customs Commissioner Fakhrul Alam imposed a fine of Tk 1 crore and 56 lacs. At the same time, he also ordered to deposit the evaded duty of Tk 77 lacs 17 thousand and 100 in the state treasury.
According to the source of the custom, the consignment was locked by the Audit Investigation and Research (AIR) branch of customs due to confidential information about the imported consignment called Jewel Textile. But as the consignment was heavy, it was not possible to take it out of the container for physical examination and re-insertion into the container. The importer submitted an application for this on 14 September. The shipment was later passed through scout for a complete physical examination The importer later promised to abide by the provisions of the Customs Act which states declared additional goods or non-declared goods on the Tk 300 non-judicial stamp. However, 50,000 kg (50 tonnes) of new threaded nuts were found in the factory premises of the importer through examination by the nominated representative of the customs. If these non-declared products were released, there was a risk of loss of revenue of Tk. 77 lacs 17 thousand and 100 for the government. Due to this incident, on 28 October, the customs authority issued a notice to the importer seeking a written reply to why no punitive action should be taken for the non-declared goods in the consignment. On 9 November of the following month, the importer replied, ‘The exporter mistakenly sent another’s goods with the imported goods, of which I was not aware.’ At the same time, the importer expressed the wish for a private hearing. Later, at the customs hearing, the importer’s representative requested exemption from the allegation that the exporter had mistakenly sent other goods along with the importer’s legitimate goods. But the customs authority, after reviewing all the documents of the importer, found proof of import of undeclared goods and imposed a fine of Tk 1 crore and 56 lacs. At the same time, he requested to deposit Tk 77 lacs 17 thousand and 100 in the state treasury within 30 days.
