KARACHI, Sept 5: The customs authorities have detained 15 buses imported from Sharjah (UAE) on the suspicion of being of Indian origin. The importer has been asked to provide necessary details of parts and components used in these buses, official sources said.
Sources said that these buses had been imported as Complete Built-up Unit (CBU) by M/s Swede Bus Pakistan for the city government. The name affixed on these buses is “Ashok Leyland” and are fully dedicated CNG units.
After receiving Goods Declaration (GD) from the clearing agent the customs authorities referred these buses for examination where it was suspected that they were of Indian origin and, therefore, could not be imported.Sources said that during investigation the customs authorities came to know that the buses had been exported by M/s Ashok Leyland, P O Box 8300, Sharjah, UAE, as per the GD. However, the web search finding revealed that the said exporter was not a manufacturer but a commercial importer/exporter of vehicles.
Sources said that the name of the manufacturer is, however, mentioned on the invoice as Trans Continental Industries, LLC P O Box 46771, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The internet browsing confirmed that the unit was an assembler/manufacturer dealing in a range of products including buses.
It is also surprising to note, the sources said, that the consignment is accompanied by a certificate of origin issued by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry confirming the goods to be of UAE origin.
Sources said that the importer of these buses has been asked by the customs to provide supplier’s certificate and purchase order to clarify the relationship between M/s Ashok Leyland and M/s Trans Continental.
According to details given by the importer it was confirmed that the Trans Continental Industries in total received manufacturing order for 25 buses for Pakistan, out of which 15 have been delivered while the rest are still in process. The chassis numbers of the buses manufactured by them have also been provided.
A document provided by the manufacturer mentioning the bus manufacturing process shows that the unit builds and fits bus bodies manufactured as per drawing specification on imported chassis.
A document giving technical specification of the engine, body, suspension system and other aspects of these buses disclosed that engines being used in these buses carried the brand mark of Hino Woge.
However, now the customs authorities are in a fix as to how to resolve the issue, particularly when there are no clear cut rules and regulations with regard to determining the country of origin, sources said.
Consequently, the customs authorities have asked the importer to provide a detailed list of the parts and components used in the manufacture of these buses along with their values to determine the value addition.
It was also suggested to the importer to get these documents verified through the commercial counsellor in Pakistan embassy, UAE.