Fragmented luxury cars seized in Chattogram after Mongla under same importer

Crown Automobile Services, a Dhaka-based importer, has again been found involved in the same strategy of importing luxury cars in pieces by declaring them as old car parts, this time at Chattogram Port. A similar consignment under the same importer’s name was seized at Mongla Port a few days ago.

Joint Director of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate Sagar Sen informed at a press conference on Tuesday that the consignment was seized after conducting a raid at the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) of Chattogram Port. A 40-foot container brought from Japan contained 167 packages totaling 8,018 kg of goods, which were declared as ‘old car parts and used petrol engines including gearboxes’. The goods were arranged in three layers in the container—car parts were kept in the front, and important parts of Lexus and BMW were found behind them.

On the basis of secret information, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate started investigation into the consignment on Monday. Examination revealed parts of Lexus LX 600, Lexus SC 430 and BMW M5 models along with Honda B18C Type-R engine, car front half or half-cut and other parts. Sagar Sen said the consignment arrived at the port on July 10 and no bill of entry was submitted even after nearly one month. Later, information was received that an attempt was being made to clear the goods through auction, following which the consignment was examined.

According to the preliminary estimate of Customs, the market value of the Lexus LX 600 may be Tk 6 to 9 crore, Lexus SC 430 Tk 50 to 90 lakh and BMW M5 Tk 3 to 8 crore. However, the actual value and dutiability of the parts will be determined finally after verification. Customs has said the combined value of the two consignments including duties and taxes is about Tk 12 crore. Sagar Sen said whether the parts found in the consignment can be reassembled into complete cars will be determined on the basis of expert opinion. He said the duty-tax burden may range from 103 to 621 percent depending on the car. If the importer or any related person wants to clear the consignment, duties, taxes and fine will have to be paid on the basis of expert opinion.

Earlier last Thursday, an attempt to bring four luxury cars in several parts or in CKD condition by declaring them as old car parts was detected at Mongla Port. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate seized that consignment on the charge of duty evasion. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) had said the value of each car was more than Tk 1 crore. As information has come to light that the same importer is involved behind these two consignments at the two ports, questions have been raised about how many more such consignments were cleared earlier without any hindrance using this kind of smuggling strategy.

On the same day as the Mongla incident, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate officials seized a BMW car bearing registration number ‘Chatt Metro-G 11-3651’ from a garage at Sattar Manzil in Rahmatganj of the city in a separate raid in Chattogram. Although the market value of the car could not be confirmed, officials believe it may be several crore taka. They said preliminary evidence was found that the car was brought with false declaration and duty evasion.

On the same night, three more luxury cars were seized from the parking area of a five-star hotel in Cox’s Bazar. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate seized the cars as the owners could not show valid papers related to their purchase and import, although the owners claimed the cars were ‘father’s gifts’. The agency has said preliminary investigation suggests these cars may have been brought into the country through duty evasion, false declaration, smuggling or document forgery.