Transit trade directorate detects major misdeclaration

KARACHI: The Directorate General of Transit Trade, Karachi, has detected a major misdeclaration in a container bound for the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Risalpur, Peshawar, with the seized goods valued at about Rs688 million.

According to the details released by the Directorate Communication and PR (DC&PR), Customs, the consignment was jointly examined on October 19 by the Directorate of Transit Trade (OPS), Karachi, and the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement SAPT, after receiving specific information.

It further said the goods were declared as “Machine Press Parts”, but physical examination found load cells inside the container.

The importer has held an Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) licence since 2021 for manufacturing artificial flowers and plants. LED TV manufacturing was added to the licence in 2022, and suitcases and bags in 2025. Imports into an EPZ must be relevant to the approved manufacturing activities.

The DC&PR said the detected goods, prima facie, match neither the declared description nor the importer’s licensed activities.

The goods were assessed under Valuation Ruling No. 861/2016, which put their value at roughly Rs688 million. The duty and taxes involved are estimated at Rs165 million.

DC&PR described the discrepancy as a prima facie case of substantial misdeclaration. Contravention proceedings and an FIR are being initiated under the Customs Act, 1969, and the rules made under it.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026