In an alarming case of fiscal fraud and gross violation of customs protocols, the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (West), Lahore has uncovered a sophisticated scheme involving misdeclaration, tampering of goods, and attempted evasion of duties and taxes at the CFS (NLC) Dryport, Thokar Niaz Baig. The case centers around a consignment imported by M/s Tokyo IT Solutions (SMC-Private) Ltd, a Gujranwala-based firm, and their clearing agents, M/s Seagulls International. A First Information Report (FIR No. 01/2025) lodged under Section 161 of the Customs Act, 1969, outlines the events that unfolded following the arrival of a 40-foot container from the UAE, which was allegedly subjected to fraudulent practices while under customs custody.
The consignment in question, comprising used laptops, personal computer systems, and new laptop chargers, was initially declared and inventoried under supervision. However, on March 29, 2025, prior to the final clearance and while the container was officially blocked by the Facilitation Mechanism Unit (FMU), unauthorized individuals, including representatives of the clearing agency and even a Customs Inspector, unlawfully accessed and tampered with the contents. CCTV footage confirmed the illegal entry, removal of seals, and manipulation of the goods between 1700 and 2115 hours. This tampering is suspected to have been executed in order to alter the inventory and misrepresent the nature and quantity of the goods, thereby evading substantial duties and taxes.
The subsequent joint examination conducted by FMU and Customs officials between April 7 and April 11 revealed stark discrepancies between the initial and revised inventories. Several hundred laptops were either short or in excess compared to the first declaration, including high-value models such as Apple MacBooks and elite business laptops from HP and Lenovo. Moreover, additional goods like 171 new Apple laptop chargers were discovered, which were not mentioned in the initial declaration. These findings highlighted a clear attempt to deceive customs authorities and obscure the true value of the consignment.
The total estimated value of the tampered goods stands at approximately Rs. 7.9 million, with the potential evasion of duties and taxes calculated at around Rs. 2.5 million. The roles of various individuals including representatives of Seagulls International, the importer’s directors, and a serving Customs Inspector have come under scrutiny for orchestrating this collusion. Legal action has been initiated under multiple sections of the Customs Act, Sales Tax Act, and Income Tax Ordinance, with charges including misdeclaration, tampering, unlawful entry into a bonded area, and fraudulently altering goods to influence duty assessments.
This incident underscores serious lapses in oversight within bonded warehouses and raises concerns about internal collusion between importers, clearing agents, and customs officials. The use of official authority to bypass procedural safeguards and manipulate customs controls not only results in loss to the national exchequer but also erodes public trust in the integrity of the import-export regulatory framework. The Customs Department, in response, has escalated the matter to the Special Judge of Customs, Taxation, and Anti-Smuggling, Lahore, and continues its investigation to ensure all perpetrators are held accountable.
The FIR serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of vigilance, transparency, and accountability in customs operations. It also reflects the critical role of enforcement units like FMU in upholding the rule of law and protecting national revenue against sophisticated fraud.
