KARACHI, June 10: The Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) collected Rs37.662 billion customs duty during the first 11 months (July-May) of 2007-08 compared to Rs25.583 billion collected in the corresponding period last year, showing a growth of 47 per cent.

According to official figures issued here on Tuesday, the imports recorded a growth of 52 per cent at Rs568.202 billion during the period under review as against Rs374.015 billion the same period last year. However, the dutiable imports rose by 36 per cent at Rs343.264 billion as against Rs253.307 billion.

The collection of sales tax at customs stage registered an increase of 79 per cent at Rs42.165 billion, from Rs23.621 billion over the corresponding period last year.

Similarly, the deduction of income tax at customs stage recorded a rise of 30 per cent at Rs9.353 billion from Rs7.189 billion the same period last year. The collection of federal excise duty also soared by 445 per cent at Rs3.808 billion from Rs699 million.

The official figures showed that the number of goods declarations (GDs) filed for imports increased by 40 per cent at 170,139 from 121,146 of last year.

The customs authorities detected 56 mis-declarations in description and quantity having a value of Rs8.27 million which were fully recovered during the period under review.