Luxury cars imported as old spare parts seized

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate has seized four luxury cars and key components of two other vehicles worth around Tk 12 crore, allegedly imported as used motor vehicle spare parts.

The seized vehicles include two Lexus cars, a Honda and a BMW, along with major components of two other vehicles.

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Customs intelligence officials disclosed the information to journalists at Chattogram port yesterday.

They said Dhaka-based Crown Automobile Services imported 167 packages weighing 8,018 kg in a container from Japan. The consignment was declared as used motor vehicle spare parts and used petrol engines, including gearboxes.

The consignment arrived at Chattogram port on July 10, but the importer did not submit a bill of entry for nearly a month, officials said. Acting on a tip-off that the importer was attempting to release the goods through auction, customs officials examined the consignment.

Sagar Sen, joint director of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, said the importer appeared to have attempted to clear the vehicles by declaring them as spare parts and paying minimal duties.

Had the vehicles been imported and assessed as complete cars, the government would have been entitled to tariff ranging from 103 percent to 621 percent of their assessable value, he said.

“We are investigating whether these were genuinely imported as spare parts or whether the vehicles were cut into different sections for import and later intended to be reassembled,” Sagar said.

He added that the financial transactions related to the consignment would also be examined to determine whether there was any money laundering involved.