ISLAMABAD, June 22: The government has revised upward customs duty on import of 18 items to provide protection to the local industries besides, making other legal changes in the Customs Act. The penalty for delay in filing goods declarations (GDs) has been reduced to Rs15,000 from the pre-budget amount of Rs100,000.

The amendments were made in the Finance Bill 2006, which was passed in the parliament to become an Act effective from June 21, 2006.

The government revised customs duty to the pre-budget rate of 25 per cent from a proposed 20 per cent on import of formic acid, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, detergent powder in bulk, and cars tyres.

The custom duty was raised to 15 per cent from 10 per cent on import of cefixime in bulk; blankets to 25 per cent from 15 per cent; customs duty revised to the pre-budget rate of 35 per cent from proposed 15 per cent on bicycle chain; 10 per cent from proposed 5 per cent on hand saw and band saw on a pre-budget rate; raised duty to 15 per cent on import of evaporator, condenser and cover for indoor unit from pre budget 5 per cent.

Similarly, customs duty revised to the pre-budget rate of 25 per cent on import of washing machines from proposed 20 per cent and pre-fabricated buildings from proposed 5 per cent. The duty was raised to 10 per cent on import of base cap for bulbs and tube lights from 5 per cent. However, the duty was reduced on a single item -- phthalic anhydride to 10 per cent from 15 per cent.

The government has reduced the limit of additional customs duty to 35 per cent from the proposed 75 per cent of value of such goods and an officer of customs not below the rank of assistant collector was allowed to require in writing from any person the requisite information.

Through an amendment a new serial number 95A was inserted in section 156 to penalise a person, who furnishes such a banking instrument to customs, which at the time of presentation before the relevant authority, is dishonoured. Such a person was liable to a penalty not exceeding Rs2 million or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.

Through an amendment the government also extended the time limit to 15 days from 10 days for filing goods declarations. The government withdrew the newly introduced sub-section 6 of section 80 and amended section 193 to provide for an appeal before the collector (Appeals) by a person aggrieved from any decision or order by an officer of customs not below the rank of assistant collector.

The provision introduced through section 81A to allow clearance of export or import goods on bonds has been withdrawn; the time limit has been enhanced up to 10 days from the proposed 7 days and an amendment was made that only those disputes were to be taken by the alternate dispute resolution committee, which were under litigation before an appellate authority or a court of law.