Chattogram:A consignment declared as packing and wrapping machinery at Chattogram port has been revealed to contain a complete cigarette manufacturing and packaging plant. This finding came after an investigation by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID).
According to United News of Bangladesh, the machinery was imported under a false product declaration. The declared invoice value was US$17,600, nearly one-25th of its estimated market value of US$443,000, based on preliminary findings by the CIID.
The consignment was imported by Dhaka-based commercial importer JR Business World from Ali Industries Limited of the United Arab Emirates. Initially, six machines were identified in the shipment, but further examination revealed seven pieces of equipment capable of manufacturing and packaging cigarettes. These include an HPL 225 cigarette maker, HPL packer, HPL feeder, HPL gluing machine, CP1 cigarette pack wrapping machine, SASIB boxer cigarette packing machine, and a cigarette film over-wrapper.
The shipment had a gross weight of 5,500kg and a net weight of 5,226kg, According to import documents. The CIID's preliminary assessment valued the machinery at US$443,000, based on online information, against the declared value of US$17,600. The final assessable value and applicable customs duties and taxes will be determined after examining the machines' models, age, condition, and comparable import prices.
The CIID will conduct a detailed investigation into the accuracy of the import declaration, correct tariff classification, actual value, applicable duties and taxes, and the machinery's intended end-use. Operations against counterfeit cigarette production and marketing will continue to ensure proper revenue collection from the tobacco sector.