Lexway Law Firm successfully represented Brands Unlimited (Pvt.) Limited before the Customs Appellate Tribunal at Karachi in Customs Appeal No. K-130 of 2022, reported in SBLR 2023 Tribunal 225.
The appeal challenged Order-in-Revision No. 39 of 2021 passed by the Director General of Customs Valuation Karachi against Valuation Ruling No. 1374 of 2019 passed by the Director Valuation Custom House, Karachi. Through the latter ruling, the Director Valuation arbitrarily categorized Lakme Cosmetic products sold by Brands Unlimited in Pakistan and placed them in the category of high-end products. As a result, the Customs Authorities imposed customs duty on Lakme Cosmetic products at the rates applicable to high-end brands. This required Brands Unlimited to deposit security/bank guarantee for their imported goods amounting to PKR 11,060,995/-.
Lexway Law Firm’s representation of Brands Unlimited was led by our Partner, Mohammad Ramish Farhat. He effectively pleaded the case before the Customs Appellate Tribunal. The Tribunal allowed the appeal by setting aside the impugned Valuation Ruling and the impugned Order-in-Revision to the extent of Brands Unlimited. The Tribunal also directed the Respondents to forthwith return the bank guarantee to Brands Unlimited.
This is a significant victory for Brands Unlimited and Lexway Law Firm.