CHITTAGONG: Country’s pharmaceutical companies Beacon, Orion Infusion, Ibne Sina and other 17 drug manufacturers have taken delivery of imported raw materials through duty forgery.

These organizations have evaded tax to the tune over Tk 2.36 crore while taking delivery of 73 consignments by changing the custom procedure code (CPC).                                                             

Of the 73 consignments Beacon Pharma evaded tax to the tune of Tk 12.93 lakh in three consignments while Orion Infusion evaded Tk 23.05 lakh in 11 consignments.   

Chittagong Customs have issued the demand notice after finding the irregularities during post clearance audit after the delivery. The authorities have also issued show cause notices for the irregularities.
    
Besides, demand notices are under process to issue more demand notice against 100 consignments. Various kinds of glass and bottles used in drug manufacturing industries were brought through these consignments.

The tax evaders are Beacon Pharmaceuticals Ltd Ibne Sina, ACI, Advance Chemicals, Bio Pharma, SKF, General Pharma, Globe Pharma, Health Care Pharma, Incepta Pharma, Chemico Pharma, Monoco Pharma, Orion Infusion, Popular Infusion, Popular Pharma, Radiant Pharma and Acme Lab.   

The imported items included clear amber glass bottle, glass     bottle for infusion, oval clear glass bottle, dropper glass bottle, and amber glass bottle USP 2&3. These goods were imported from Belgium, China and India.

Some officials of Chittagong customs informed that the duty tax remission given by the government are generally adjusted in some custom codes.

This code is known as customs procedure code (CPC). The remission code grants several types of facilities as per the import head and the types of goods.

Going through the files, it was observed that these drug manufacturers are allowed cpc-134 for taking delivery of imported goods. Under this cpc the importers take release of goods paying a total of 37 percent revenue including 15 percent customs duty.

But it comes under post clearance audit the authority got the proofs of tax forgery.

It was seen that according to customs act-1969 section 83(A) there is a compulsion for duty payment. It directs to impose 57 percent duty tax including 25 percent customs duty.

After the issuing of demand notices for twice, if there is no response from the importers, then the authority will takes the measure to issue 202 sections for realizing revenue.

According to customs law after the issuing of 202 there is no scope to take delivery of any imported article through any ports of the country.

Regarding the matter the additional commissioner of Chittagong customs house told banglanews that 17 organizations including Beacon Pharma, Ibne Sina, ACI, Acme had taken delivery of 73 consignments giving false declaration.

Phase- wise demand notices were served on these organizations and some revenues were also collected so far.

Besides, after the proof of the irregularities some importers were served show cause notices also.

BDST: 1640 HRS, APR 03, 2014