Ctg customs foils Tk 12 crore tax dodging attempt

Chattogram Custom House has foiled an importer's attempt to evade a large amount of tax in which the company declared it was importing paper but was actually importing cigarettes.

A total of 49.98 lakh cigarettes were seized in the incident on Sunday night.

Sources said Chattogram-based importer JK Stationary recently imported a container of A4 size paper from the United Arab Emirates.

Chattogram Custom House found a container of cigarettes – instead of the A4-sized paper – while inspecting the consignment at Chattogram Port.

The owner of the company  Shahidul Islam has claimed that his organisation has been closed for a long time.

"We have not made any such imports," he said.

According to customs' estimate, the importer tried to evade tax worth Tk12 crore.

Rezaul Karim, assistant commissioner of the audit investigation and research (AIR) unit of Chattogram Custom House, said, "The importer imported one container of A-4 size paper from the UAE. But the company did not take any action to unload the container at Chattogram port."

"During physical examination, they found 49.98 lakh cigarettes of Oris and Mond brand hidden in a separate carton under the paper," he added.

Chattogram Customs House has previously foiled two other attempts of dodging tax worth Tk5 cr and Tk 11 cr on 15 and 17 February.