Bizman held for Rs 8cr import duty evasion

NAVI MUMBAI: A resident of Wadala Bhakti Park has been arrested by the Customs Unit of Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House in Uran allegedly for evasion of around Rs 8 crore duty and tax while importing silicone sealants and adhesive tapes from China over four years. He has been charged for undervaluing imported goods, misdeclarating quantity and misclassifying goods to avoid GST by faking invoices. He has been sent to 14 days in custody.
Customs officials said a firm associated with the accused, Hojefa Officewala, 47, is accused of hiding the original invoice and submitting fake invoices quoting prices 3-4 times lower than original prices.

Though payments for imports worth close to Rs 20 crore were made through bank, the actual value of imports would be over Rs 80 crore in the last four years, officials said, adding that the firm may have paid the balance through hawala.

Besides other charges, Customs officials said that the accused misclassified goods to evade 10% of Integrated Goods & Services Tax by entering a classification number is meant for goods that attract lesser tax.

Deputy commissioner of Customs Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch Abhaysinh Phalake confirmed the arrest. He said Officewala has been charged under section 135 of the Customs Act that attracts a maximum punishment of 7 years and penalty.