'Origin of import circumvention': FBR decides to lodge FIRs

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to lodge FIRs and take other actions under the Customs Act against importers involved in mis-declaration of goods of Indian origin through international ports like Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Sources told Business Recorder here on Friday that the FBR will register FIRs against such importers involved in the phenomenon of 'origin of import circumvention'. The FBR has issued instructions to the FBR Member Customs (Operations) to take action against such persons involved in bringing goods of Indian origin into Pakistan using other international ports. It has also been decided to remain vigilant while checking goods from free ports which are world's leading commercial gateways.

According to sources, the misuse of the Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and China is not possible due to online verification of the certificates of origin of goods and other data. However, any attempt to bring Indian-origin goods into Pakistan by mis-declaring its origin would be strictly dealt with under the law.

Meanwhile, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Shabbar Zaidi has hinted at initiating serious prosecution against cases where Indian-origin goods were attempted to the imported using phenomenon of 'origin of import circumvention.' According to a tweet of Shabbar Zaidi here on Friday, "Origin of import circumvention means declaration or representation of wrong country of origin. Serious instances of such circumvention (are) being noticed with respect to goods of Indian origin using various regional ports for that purpose. This action will be prosecuted severely."