KARACHI, PAKISTAN: In a significant move to curb trade malpractice, the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (West) has successfully foiled several smuggling attempts involving Indian-origin goods falsely declared as imports from other countries. The operation reflects Pakistan’s growing vigilance against trade fraud and misdeclaration at its key ports.
Customs officials revealed that a major consignment of textile machinery worth over Rs 24 million was intercepted after being falsely declared as Chinese-made. Upon detailed examination, officers discovered “Made in India” labels and manufacturer marks that clearly exposed the deception.
In another similar case, a shipment containing a power distribution unit valued at Rs 3.76 million was found to carry Indian-origin markings despite being routed through Jebel Ali and declared as Turkish. The findings have prompted customs authorities to increase inspections and strengthen the verification of imported consignments arriving via third countries.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has emphasized that such cases will be dealt with strictly, warning importers against misdeclaration and fraudulent practices aimed at evading regulatory restrictions on Indian goods. Officials noted that this crackdown aims to safeguard Pakistan’s trade integrity, protect local manufacturers, and ensure transparency in customs procedures.
Trade analysts view this as part of a broader push to reinforce Pakistan’s import controls and curb the influx of restricted goods through indirect channels. The customs department’s swift action underscores its resolve to tighten border checks and enforce compliance under the Import Policy Order.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.