Customs detect attempt to import four luxury cars as used parts

Customs officials have uncovered an attempt to bring four luxury cars into Bangladesh by disguising them as used vehicle parts, with the vehicles cut into several sections before being shipped from Japan.

The cars a Range Rover Vogue, BMW 650i, Lexus LX570 and Toyota Crown Athlete have an estimated combined market value of around Tk 4.50 crore to Tk 6.70 crore or more, according to the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID).

The consignment was imported by Crown Auto Mobile Services of Gandaria, Dhaka, from Mahi Car Port in Ashikaga, Tochigi, Japan. It contained 164 packages declared under 14 different items, weighing about 10,220 kilograms.

Among the declared goods were used doors, engines with gear assemblies, suspension components, headlights, tail lights, fenders, cabin parts, steering wheels, bumpers, differentials and axle assemblies.

The shipment came under scrutiny after CIID received a confidential tip-off. Its Khulna regional office and Mongla circle suspended the clearance process and conducted a 100 percent physical examination on July 19.

Investigators were assisted by technical experts from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). 

They examined stickers, labels, markings and identification numbers found on various vehicle components. Artificial intelligence tools were also used to help identify the vehicles.

The inspection revealed front cuts, complete rear or tail sections, front and rear body cuts and roof-cut panels, with wiring harnesses, sensors and other major components still attached.

Despite containing parts belonging to four luxury vehicles, the entire shipment had been invoiced at only $7,935. 

Using the declared exchange rate of Tk 122.7433 per dollar and other expenses of Tk 19,577.56, the assessable value was shown as approximately Tk 9.94 lakh.

The declared customs duties and taxes stood at Tk 6.07 lakh, while the total payable amount, including DF, CVAT and FP, was listed at Tk 6.10 lakh.

CIID said the potential revenue loss has not yet been calculated. 

The final amount will depend on whether the vehicles are assessed as semi-knocked-down (SKD) motor vehicles rather than separate used parts, taking into account their actual market value, engine capacity, age, depreciation, tariff values and applicable taxes.

The customs intelligence agency said it would continue intelligence-led operations against false declarations, concealment of imported goods and attempts to evade customs duties by bringing vehicles in SKD or completely knocked-down (CKD) form under the guise of spare parts.