The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Importers of steel scraps have urged National Board of Revenue (NBR) to take action against Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) Companies for their failure to ensure proper shipment of imported goods.

After a recent incident of fraudulent shipment of imported goods by two scrap importers, Bangladesh Steel Mills Owners Association (BSMOA) and Bangladesh Re-Rolling Mills Association (BRMA) made the plea to the official revenue agency.

BSMOA president Sheikh Fzlur Rahman Bakul said they have drawn attention of the NBR to the matter after repeated failure in recent months.

He said that two steel mill owners imported scraps from Philippines but when the shipment reached the Chittagong port it was found that the suppliers supplied garbage stones, concretes and rubbish instead of the imported galvanised iron sheet bundles scraps.

BRMA General Secretary Sheikh Masadul Alam Masud said that in last few months a number of scrap importers had to face similar deals of cheating.

"This incident is taking place repeatedly due to the failure of the PSI companies, which were officially appointed by the NBR to check such fraudulent practices," he told UNB.

"But they are not doing their duties properly," he alleged.

Masud said that after the latest incident, the importers, BSMOA and BRMA leaders sat together with the Chiottagong Customs Commissioner to get remedy.

He questioned the justification of the PSI companies' appointment in pre-shipment business as the government in the last budget imposed specific duty on scrap imports.

"After specific duty fixation, we find no need of PSI companies' involvement with the process".

Masud said the FBCCI also demanded the NBR investigate into the incidents and take action against the responsible.