The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has blocked the release of an underdeclared garment import consignment, foiling an attempt to evade nearly Tk60 lakh in duties and taxes, according to a National Board of Revenue (NBR) press release issued on Sunday.
The shipment, imported by M/S S.B Traders under Bill of Entry No C-765485, was intercepted before customs clearance on 30 July after CIID received intelligence that the declaration did not match the actual contents of the consignment.
A physical inspection found that the importer had declared 2,699 pieces of garments but the shipment contained 4,319 pieces, or 1,620 pieces more than declared, representing an excess of 60.02 per cent.
The discrepancies spanned multiple product categories. Officials found 48 pieces of ordinary lehengas against a declaration of 29, 50 gorgeous lehengas against 13 declared, 803 super sarees against 112 declared and 900 medium sarees against 179 declared.
The inspection also found 120 premium sarees against 112 declared, 140 girls’ wear sets against 128, 120 sherwanis against 18 and 124 T-shirts against 94.
In addition, the consignment contained only 100 gowns against the declared 187 pieces, while officials found an extra 87 ordinary lehengas, indicating that part of the shipment had been misdeclared.
The CIID estimated that the underdeclaration was intended to evade Tk31,71,169 in customs duties and taxes. With an equivalent redemption fine applicable under customs rules, the total recoverable amount is expected to be about Tk60 lakh.
The directorate has sent a detailed report to Custom House Dhaka for legal action.
The NBR said CIID would continue intelligence-led surveillance and enforcement drives against underdeclaration and other customs fraud to safeguard government revenue and ensure transparency in import and export trade.
