Customs books Shippo over Rs117 million tax evasion case

Customs officials found that the imported consignment allegedly contained goods not authorised under the company's industrial licence, prompting a separate FIR in Karachi. Pakistan Customs has registered a case against Shippo Private Limited, an industrial unit operating in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Risalpur, after an audit uncovered a substantial shortage of goods involving suspected customs duty and tax evasion of approximately Rs117 million. As per reports, the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Peshawar, registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the company on November 6, 2026, following a focused audit of its operations. The investigation followed the interception of a consignment imported by Shippo at Karachi Port, where the Directorate of Transit Trade reportedly found that the goods did not match those authorised under the company's industrial licence. The consignment had been intercepted for examination before the issuance of transhipment permission for EPZ Risalpur. Customs authorities in Karachi subsequently registered a separate FIR over the alleged import irregularities. Following these developments, customs officials in Peshawar conducted a stock audit that identified a significant shortage of goods, raising concerns over potential evasion of government duties and taxes. Meanwhile, a fire broke out at Shippo's premises on November 8, two days after the registration of the second FIR. Authorities said the cause and circumstances of the fire had not yet been established, while the relevant zone authority was expected to examine the incident under applicable procedures. Pakistan Customs said legal proceedings would continue in accordance with the law as part of its efforts to enforce customs regulations and protect government revenue.