The customs authority expressed deep concern after recently detecting a consignment of fake identical bandroll or stamp paper of low-brand cigarettes that a vested quarter imported to evade high tax imposed on the item.
The Chittagong Customs House (CCH) seized the paper, for the first time in the history, although the customs officials smelt that such practice has been going on for a long time.
Identical production technique of the stamp paper, produced by the Security Printing Corporation (Bangladesh) Limited (SPCL), made customs officials concerned over the issue, as tobacco items contribute the highest amount of tax to the public exchequer.
The NBR collected Tk 288 billion tax from cigarettes only in fiscal year (FY) 2020-21, which is 30 per cent of its aggregate VAT and SD collection in the FY.
CCH Commissioner Md Fakhrul Alam said detailed investigation of the issue is needed to secure the country's tax revenue, as it may cause huge leakage.
The pros and cons of the matter, including its criminal and money laundering offences, have to be scrutinised through coordinated efforts of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), he opined.
According to the website of the exporting company Digi Anti-fake (Shenzen) Co Ltd, it is a manufacturer of anti-counterfeiting sticker, special craft tobacco label, cigarette case, security certificate, security printed packaging, anti copy and other types of anti-counterfeit products.
The CCH has found evidences of a syndicate importing such fake stamp from the Chinese company and releasing through same clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents earlier.
To bring them under legal actions, the customs authority needs expertise of the police forces too, the CCH commissioner also said.
"It's a matter of great concern, as the bandroll has been produced in such a (crafty) manner with the NBR logo and other seals of the SPCL."
The CCH has filed a criminal case against the importer to proceed on this issue, he added.
Importer Bappu Enterprise tried to release the fake stamp with the help of C&F agents that was exported by Digi Anti-fake (Shenzen) Co Ltd as art paper.
Port control unit of the CCH conducted analysis under risk management on types of business of the importer, the exporters' website, and the country of origin, and got evidences of misdeclaration.
Later, the Audit, Investigation and Research (AIR) team blocked the bill of entry of the product chalan in Asycuda World System.
On December 14, the CCH conducted 100 per cent physical examination of the container, and found the hidden fake stamp in the pallet. Those were low-segment cigarette stamp for 10-stick packets. Total Tax Incidence (TTI) on low-segment cigarettes is 73 per cent.
The importer declared 14,640 kg, but in the physical examination the CCH found 12,767.66 kg art paper and 3,1980,000 pieces or 2,305 kg fake cigarette stamps.
Stamp or band-roll needs to be collected from the SPCL as per the VAT law, and it's a high security item that needs periodical review by VAT wing.
There is no scope to import the stamp, or print it from any organisation from Bangladesh other than the SPCL.
Such offences are punishable in the Customs Act 1969, the Special Power Act 1974, the VAT and SD Act 2019, and the Bangladesh Penal Code 1860.
In the letter, the CCH commissioner requested NBR Chairman and also Internal Resources Division (IRD) Senior Secretary Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem to seek attention of the secretaries of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Public Administration, and the Inspector General of Bangladesh Police.
He also underscored the need for involving other intelligence agencies in this regard, and conducting joint money laundering investigation by the NBR, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Bangladesh Bank.
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