Cosmetics, jewellery imported under false declaration of modelling clay, safety pins

Infographic/TBS

Chattogram Customs has detected a consignment in which an importer allegedly attempted to smuggle cosmetics and imitation jewellery by declaring them as modelling clay and safety pins, apparently to evade duties and taxes.

The Customs unstuffing wing intercepted the consignment before it could be released from the port. A 100% physical examination found 3,852kg of undeclared goods, including makeup products, eye and lip cosmetics, skin creams and imitation jewellery, according to the customs examination report.

The consignment was imported from China by Fatema Enterprise, based at Mokim Katra in Dhaka's Chawk Bazar, with Zareen Enterprise, a C&F firm in Agrabad, Chattogram, handling customs clearance.

In the bill of entry, the importer declared 9,750kg of modelling clay and 5,528kg of pins and safety pins, with a total net weight of 15,278kg. The declared invoice value was $15,590.

The bill of entry was filed on 11 August 2026 for goods imported through Yiwu Lota o Import and Export Co Ltd.

During a physical examination on 18 August, customs officials found only 560kg of modelling clay and 762kg of pins and safety pins, according to the report.

They also found 2,000kg of makeup kits, foundation and similar products; 1,046kg of eye makeup products, including eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyebrow pencils, and mascara; 303kg of lip makeup products; 211kg of face and skin creams; and 292kg of imitation jewellery.

The total recovered goods weighed 5,175kg, including 3,852kg of undeclared items.

"Actions will be taken in accordance with customs law," Sharif Al Amin, assistant commissioner and spokesperson for Chattogram Customs House, said.

He said the C&F agent had applied for a re-examination of the consignment.

"If the commissioner rejects the appeal, the file will go for valuation and taxation. After this process, it will be known how much duties and taxes the importer tried to evade," he told The Business Standard.

If the investigation establishes that the false declaration was intentional, legal action will also be taken against the agent, he added.

The C&F agent, however, said its role was limited to submitting documents provided by the importer and facilitating the customs examination.

Mahbubur Rahman Sagar, managing partner of Zareen Enterprise, said the undeclared goods were not prohibited items.

"These are importable goods, but they were not included in the declaration. The importer has already been served a show-cause notice and has submitted its reply," he said.

He added that Customs will now assess the goods and collect the applicable duties and once the legal process is completed, the goods will be released. 

Sagar said he did not have a contact number for Fatema Enterprise.