Pakistan customs has foiled an attempt to export a banned item Yellow Lentil under the guise of sea salt, sources said. They said that Model Collectorate of Customs of PaCCS has also registered FIR against the exporter under customs act 1969.
Sources said that a Karachi base exporter filed a Goods Declaration for the export of 50,000 kg Sea Salt valuing of 4,750 dollar, in two 20x20 feet container, destined to Alabeer General Trading L L C, UAE. The exporter discharged his liabilities as envisaged under section 131 (a) of the Customs Act, 1969.
However, before the export could be affected, credible information was received by customs authorities that some unscrupulous elements are attempting to export the notified banned goods under the guise of Sea Salt, they added. In pursuance of the information, sources said customs selected both containers for detailed serenity and physical examination, which revealed that consignment has contain 50,000 kg of Yellow Lentils (Mong Daal), classifiable under H S Code 0713.4020, packed in poly bags as against the declared description of Sea salt.
Therefore, side consignment has been sized by the customs under section 168 of the Customs Act 1969 in presence of two independent persons. Sources said that export of Yellow Lentils is banned vide S No 6 to schedule 1 of the Export Policy orders 2009-2010 and to take Yellow Lentils out of country also falls within the meaning of smuggling vide S. No 15 of notification SRO-566(I)/2005 dated 06-06-2005 and attracts the violation of section 2 (S) of the Customs Act, 1969.
They said that exporters has therefore, violated the provisions of section 2(S), 16,32, 35, 39, 131, 155-A, 155-C, 155-E, 155-F and 192 of the Customs Act, 1969, punishable under clause 8, 14, 45, 86 and 89 of Section of the Customs Act, 1969 read with Section 3(3) of the Import and Export (Control) Act, 1950, read with SRO 566(I)/2005 dated 06-06-2008, further read with Export Policy Order 2009 notified vide SRO 767(I)/2009, dated 04-09-2009. The FIR is lodged accordingly and investigations are being initiated in the base.