Importer, PSI firm to face action for false documentation

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will take legal actions against the company that illegally imported liquor worth over Tk 5 crore through false declaration, and also against the pre-shipment inspection (PSI) company that certified the import, said the chairman of the board.
The board has transferred Customs Commissioner Mohammed Nurul Islam to Jessore for his alleged involvement in illegally importing alcohol through Mongla Port that was seized on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department of Chittagong seized seven containers of non-brand refrigerators while being imported under false declaration on Wednesday.
NBR Chairman Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed said the board will take strict actions against such corrupt importers and PSI companies.
The board asked for explanations by December 31 from the companies, he said.
“We took action yesterday (Wednesday) against the NBR official concerned in Khulna,” Ahmed added.
The Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the NBR on Tuesday detected substantial duty evasion at Mongla port through false declaration of goods imported from Dubai.
A four-member team of the CIC and other law enforcing agencies seized two large containers with 23,592 bottles of French wine, whisky and champagne on Tuesday.
The importer, Media Enterprise, declared goods worth only $3,537 (Tk 2,43,699) in those two containers, while the NBR calculates the value of the items imported at Tk 5 crore under the name of cosmetics, toiletries and prayer mats.
Humayun Kabir, owner of Media Enterprise, has given fake address and contact number while opening Letter of Credit with Pubali Bank, Khulna on September 29.
SGS Bangladesh, the PSI company that inspected the goods, denied the allegation of its involvement.
Ron Suva, operation manager of the company, claimed that they inspected goods of the consignment properly in Dubai, and there were no such goods at that time.
He said his company has submitted explanation to the NBR and now is waiting for the government decision.