The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed the collectors of customs to check illicit trade of highly smuggling-prone items, particularly mobile phone sets, perfumes, cosmetics and luxury goods liable to customs duty and regulatory duty (RD).
Sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday that the FBR has directed the collectors of customs to remain extra vigilant for checking the smuggling of these items specifically mobile phone sets.
The directive has specified that luxury goods could be smuggled through passenger baggage, which should be checked at the airports. The baggage containing luxury goods should not be released until checking and confirmation of the declared items.
Sources said that there are strong chances that smuggling of mobile phone sets takes place through unaccompanied baggage. Secondly, misdeclaration of luxury goods is another specific area which needs to be checked effectively. According to sources, recently the FBR has asked the field formations to ensure checking of smuggling of these luxury goods. However, the instructions were general in nature, without specifying detailed mechanism to check smuggling of luxury goods.
Collectors of customs are already monitoring the incoming international flights from Dubai and Bangkok to control suspected smuggling of mobile phone sets following imposition of Rs 250 per set regulatory duty (RD). The small size items have more chances of smuggling, using the accompanied and unaccompanied baggage.