20000411

Customs cell for regularisation of smuggled goods

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Customs has set up a special cell at Dryport Thokar Niaz Baig for regularisation of smuggled commercial goods.

Such goods could be regularised against payment of duty and taxes up to April 30, said a spokesman on Monday. He said the federal government has already announced that after the said date crackdown would be launched against the owners of smuggled goods and their premises/stores, etc., would be raided and all such items would be seized under the Customs Act 1969.

The newly-established cell at Thokar Niaz Baig will provide all type of necessary facilities to the intended beneficiaries of the Amnesty Scheme for commercial goods and all such items will be cleared on the same day after inspection and appraisement.

The staff posted at the cell will work round-the-clock to provide maximum facilities to those retailers/owners who intend to avail of the scheme, the spokesman said.

The cell will remain operative up to April 30. Any information in this regard can be collected from the office of the Deputy Collector Customs on telephone Nos. 5412088 & 5420754.

Meanwhile, Aftab Anwar Baloch, Collector, Customs, has appealed to the traders to come forward and get their commercial goods legalised against payment of duty and taxes. The collector has also asked various trade bodies and representatives of city markets and Lahore Chamber of Commerce to co-operate with the officials concerned in this regard.