Pakistan Customs has intercepted an attempt to illegally import cigarette tipping paper by misdeclaring it as “poster paper in reels” at the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement (West), Karachi.

Officials said the importer submitted clearance documents describing the shipment as poster paper. However, inconsistencies in the paperwork prompted customs authorities to conduct a detailed inspection of the consignment.

During the process, a certificate allegedly issued by international inspection firm SGS was presented to support the declared goods. Customs later verified the document and found it to be fake, suggesting an attempt to bypass import controls through forged certification.

Subsequent laboratory testing confirmed that the cargo actually consisted of cigarette tipping paper, not the declared poster paper, establishing clear misdeclaration under customs laws.

Following the findings, customs authorities reclassified the goods under the correct tariff heading and initiated legal proceedings against the importer as well as the clearing agent involved in the case.

An FIR has been registered on charges of misdeclaration and forgery. Officials also confirmed that a second container linked to the same importer has been seized for further investigation.

Pakistan Customs stated that it is committed to preventing revenue leakage, enforcing trade regulations, and taking strict action against fraudulent import practices and attempts to evade customs duties.