KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has seized 20,000 kilograms of Chinese salt, valued at Rs20.5 million, after detecting a misdeclared consignment at a storage facility near Walika Chowrangi, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said on Friday.
According to the FBR, the Anti-Smuggling Organisation of the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement conducted a targeted raid at A-One Godown based on intelligence reports. During inspection of Shed No. 9, operated by M/s United Traders, officers recovered several bags labelled as citric acid.
Initial checks indicated that a substantial portion of the consignment actually contained Chinese salt (monosodium glutamate), identified through its smell and texture, while the remaining bags held genuine citric acid. The custodian produced Goods Declaration No. GWRI-HC-1444-10-11-2025, under which the entire shipment had been declared as citric acid imported from Iran.
A detailed examination confirmed the misdeclaration, leading to the seizure of 800 bags of Chinese salt and 100 bags of citric acid, each weighing 25kg. Customs officials moved the seized goods to a secure warehouse, and samples have been sent for laboratory testing.
Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Customs Act, 1969. The FBR said the operation is part of Pakistan Customs’ ongoing efforts to curb smuggling and prevent revenue losses to the national exchequer.
