Tk 2cr cosmetics seized as ‘importer attempts to dodge Tk 1.3cr tax’
Customs officials at Chattogram yesterday filed a case against an importer for allegedly importing Tk 2 crore worth of cosmetics under a false declaration.
Customs sources say the false declaration was an attempt by the importer, Only One International, to dodge around Tk 1.3 crore in taxes.
However, the company’s manager, Md Zakaria Hossain, claims it to be a mistake of the exporter. “We have already contacted the exporter for remedy,” he said.
Stating that this was a lie, Chattogram Customs House Deputy Commissioner Nooruddin Milon told The Daily Star that the importer had loaded the goods onto three trucks and tried to get them released last week.
Papers show that 2,000 water pumps worth Tk 51.70 lakh were being brought from China, said Milon.
The consignment arrived at the Chattogram port on November 5 and physical examination revealed it to be 37 tonnes of hair gel and oil, shampoo, soaps, facewash, bodywash, and some other cosmetics, he said.
Water pumps carry 1 percent duty, while cosmetics 100 percent, he added.
If any customs officials are found to be involved in the incident during investigation, the authorities will take action against them, he said.
