Chattogram customs foils Tk22 lakh duty evasion bid
No C&F (Clearing and Forwarding) agent submitted a bill of entry for taking delivery of the consignment
Customs officials have seized from a container a consignment of baby food brought into Chattogram port by giving false declaration.
Siam Trading, a Dhaka-based importing company, brought in baby food of Lactogen brand side by side diapers declaring the import of diapers only from Malaysia. In this way, the business establishment tried to evade customs duty amounting to Tk22 lakh, the Audit Investigation and Research unit of Chattogram Customs House confirmed to the media on Thursday.
Nur A Hasna Sanjida Anushua, assistant commissioner of Chattogram Customs, said, "Based on secret information, we physically verified a 20-feet container and found 2,880 kg of declared diapers and 6,825 kg of false declared baby food."
No C&F (Clearing and Forwarding) agent submitted a bill of entry for taking delivery of the consignment.
Earlier, Siam enterprise, another importing company in Dhaka, declared the import of olive and peanut but brought in baby food in an attempt to evade Tk60 lakh in duty. The consignment was seized on April 28.
Chattogram Customs House is investigating whether both the companies are of the same cycle as there is a similarity in their names.
"Siam Enterprise and Siam Trading mentioned two separate addresses. But, we will still do a check to see if both the companies are linked. Legal actions will be taken against those involved in the tax evasion attempts as per Customs rules," Sanjida Anushua added.
