NBR urged to take action against PSI firms' irregularities
Importers of steel scraps have urged National Board of Revenue (NBR) to take action against Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) companies for their failure to ensure proper shipment of imported goods.
After a recent incident of fraudulent shipment of imported goods by two scrap importers, Bangladesh Steel Mills Owners Association (BSMOA) and Bangladesh Re-Rolling Mills Association (BRMA) made the plea.
BSMOA President Sheikh Fzlur Rahman Bakul said two steel-mill owners imported the scraps from the Philippines; but when the shipment reached Chittagong port, it was found that the suppliers supplied garbage stones, concretes and rubbish instead of bundles of galvanised iron sheet scraps.
BRMA General Secretary Sheikh Masadul Alam Masud said in the last few months a number of scrap importers had been cheated in the similar way.
“This sort of incidents are taking place repeatedly due to the failure of the PSI companies, which have officially been appointed by the NBR to check such fraudulent practices,” he said.
Masud questioned the justification for appointing PSI companies in pre-shipment business as the government in the budget imposed specific duty on scrap imports.
“After specific duty fixation, we find no justification to involve PSI companies in the process,” he said.
Masud said the FBCCI also demanded for NBR investigation into these incidents and action against those responsible for such incidents.
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