KARACHI, June 19: A loss of about Rs1.2 million through evasion of duty and taxes to the national exchequer by mis- declaration of an imported item has been averted.

Sources told Dawn on Thursday that the director customs intelligence, Karachi, received information that some businessmen were importing silicone sealant attracting 20 per cent customs duty, 15 per cent sales tax and 5 per cent income tax by mis-declaring the same as silicone in primary form, which has only 5 per cent duty and one per cent income tax.

The staff of customs intelligence intercepted a consignment at West Wharf weighing 14,625kg imported from China.

Representative samples were sent to the laboratories of customs and Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to ascertain the actual description and classification of the imported goods.

Both the laboratories in their separate reports confirmed that the samples were of silicone sealant as against the declaration, which established the mis-declaration of the imported item.

After receipt of lab reports the consignment was seized.

It has been further learnt that the same businessman had earlier imported two such consignments, which were got cleared by the customs by mis-declaration.