Chattogram:Dhaka The National Board of Revenue's (NBR) Central Intelligence Cell (CIC), in collaboration with Chattogram Customs House, has identified eight significant cases of customs duty evasion involving the misdeclaration of imported goods. These cases have resulted in estimated revenue losses of approximately Taka 7.03 crore.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, investigations revealed that importers falsely declared low-duty items such as agricultural power sprayer machines, toothpicks, heat-transfer paper, rubber bushes, and stainless steel circles. In reality, they were importing high-duty goods including cosmetics, prohibited creams, automotive parts, PVC flex banners, nuts, bolts, and bearings from countries like China, Pakistan, and Thailand.
The CIC and the Audit, Investigation and Research (AIR) team from Chattogram Customs House detected these irregularities through intelligence-led inspections of containers at Chattogram port, as stated in an NBR press release.
Authorities have finalized legal action against the importers and their clearing and forwarding (C and F) agents under Sections 33 and 171 of the Customs Act, 2023.
In one case, Fortune Global Trading in Dhaka misdeclared 11,956 kilograms of agricultural power sprayer machines from China, but inspections revealed stage lights and various creams instead. This resulted in a revenue evasion estimate of Taka 2.5 crore.
In another instance, Kaf Corporation declared 22.5 tonnes of toothpicks from China but was found to have imported prohibited cosmetics, leading to an estimated revenue loss of Taka 2.8 crore.
HR Enterprise of Dhaka declared engine rubber bushes from Thailand but concealed automotive parts, resulting in a revenue loss of Taka 44 lakh. The same importer was also involved in another misdeclaration attempt.
New Trust Traders declared heat-transfer paper but instead imported PVC flex banners, leading to an estimated revenue evasion of Tk 40 lakh.
Additionally, New Rony Enterprise and Mohammadia Trade were involved in misdeclaring industrial goods, resulting in significant revenue losses.
In another incident, Kaf Corporation attempted to remove a locked container using a forged seal, but customs officials intercepted the attempt, securing the container under strict security.
The NBR has taken a zero-tolerance stance towards organized revenue evasion, emphasizing the importance of protecting domestic industries and government revenue through strict enforcement of customs laws.