ISLAMABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Thursday directed the Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi to issue a new valuation ruling on the import of ice cream.

In this regard, the FTO office has expressed serious concern over discriminatory treatment among importers of ice cream during clearance of their imported consignments by the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (SAPT), Karachi.

The FTO has issued an order on Thursday on a complaint filed against the Collector, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (SAPT), Karachi.

The FTO order stated that it is a clear case of discrimination between the complainant (M/s Capvan Sweets (Pvt) Limited) and its competitor M/s Jofa International in the application of valuation ruling which need to be considered/settled by the Valuation department.

The Director, Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi should take a decision on complainant decision after giving proper opportunity of hearing to the complainant and other stakeholder to settle the issue for future.

The complainant regularly imported “HAAGEN DAZS ICE CREAM” having different flavors from worldwide sources including France. The complainant filed GD which was not assessed on declared value by the department without any legal basis or justification.

The findings of the FTO order revealed that the Collectorate’s failure to accept the declared value in respect of GD despite the fact that the department itself had already accepted the declared value regarding two GDs. However, the department as also accepted the declared value in case of another importer M/s Jofa International in view of the judgement of the customs appellate tribunal.

FTO has directed the Collector, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement Karachi to accept the declared value in respect of GD as they have already accepted the declared regarding other GDs.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023