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The Chattogram Custom House seized a consignment of beverage imported from Malaysia, saying that the importer Daesan (Bangladesh) Ltd has evaded a large amount of customs duty through false declaration.
Insiders said a show cause was issued to the Dhaka-based company on December 20 in this regard, asking them to submit an explanation within seven working days.
Responding to a query, Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Custom House Md Tareq Hasan said, “The company attempted to evade around TK 69,25,338 in customs duty, and we have seized the consignment for this reason.
“We have also served a show cause notice to the importer, seeking explanation on why punitive actions should not be taken against this company.”
Customs sources said Daesan (Bangladesh) Ltd imported the consignment last September and submitted a bill of entry on November 2 for clearing the goods through clearing and forwarding agent Haider & Company Pvt Ltd, declaring the product as Juice made in Malaysia.
Physical tests and the manufacturer’s website later revealed that the manufacture produces beverages, not juices. Additionally, the bottle labels were changed as to “Roselle Juice,” but the original label identifies the product as Roselle Botanical Beverage, they added.
Similarly, the beverage bottle of the Morinzhi brand imported in this consignment showed “Morinzhi Juice” on the label. The labels of another product belonging to the same brand were changed too, along with all labels on inner and master boxes.
The show-cause letter mentions that the duty rate on the goods was 89.32 per cent as per the importer’s declaration, but the actual duty on those products is 289 per cent.
The Business Post tried to get in touch with Nasiruddin Haider, owner of the C&F agent Haider & Company Pvt Ltd, on phone for comments on the matter, but he could not be reached till filing of this report.
