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Customs intelligence officials have seized four luxury cars and consignments of vehicle parts that were imported into Chattogram Port under a false declaration as “used spare parts.”
Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate Joint Director Sagar Sen disclosed the information at a press conference at the port’s PCT area on Tuesday.
He said the vehicles are worth around Tk 120 crore, including duties and taxes, with applicable duties ranging from 103% to 621%, depending on the vehicle.
The cars were packed in three layers inside a 40-foot container, with spare parts placed at the front to conceal them. The consignment arrived at the port but no bill of entry was submitted, and it was subsequently sent for auction.
Acting on confidential information received by the director general of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, an enforcement team led by the Chattogram regional office’s joint director inspected the consignment on August 31.
The team found luxury vehicles including a Lexus LX 600, Lexus SC 430 and BMW M5, along with important vehicle components.
According to intelligence information and a review of the manifest and waybill submitted through ASYCUDA World, Crown Automobile Services had imported one container from Japan containing 167 packages weighing 8,018kg, declaring them as “Used Spare Parts of Motor Vehicles and Used/Second Hand Petrol Engine Fitted with Gear Box of Motor Vehicles.”
Officials said the consignment actually contained the luxury cars and other components, including a Honda B18C engine.
The customs authority said the importer or any other party seeking to take delivery of the goods would have to pay applicable duties, taxes and penalties based on expert assessment.
In response to a question, Sagar Sen said the importer had not responded to a letter from the authorities.