The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has foiled an attempt to evade nearly Tk 6 million in customs duties and taxes by underdeclaring the quantity of imported garments, officials said.

In a statement issued on Sunday, CIID said a special team from its headquarters seized a large quantity of undeclared garments from a consignment imported by M/S S.B. Traders following a tip-off.

The shipment, imported under Bill of Entry No. C-765485 on July 30, was intercepted just before customs clearance and subjected to a physical inspection.

According to the investigation, the importer declared 2,699 pieces of garments, but inspectors found 4,319 pieces, or 1,620 additional items about 60.2% more than declared.

The inspection uncovered significant discrepancies across several product categories. While the declaration listed 29 ordinary lehengas, customs found 48. It also found 50 gorgeous lehengas instead of the declared 13, 803 super sarees instead of 112, 900 medium sarees instead of 179, 120 sherwanis instead of 18, and 124 T-shirts instead of 94.

Other inconsistencies included 140 girls’ wear sets against a declared 128, and 120 premium sarees compared with the declared 112.

CIID also noted that while the declaration mentioned 187 gowns, inspectors found only 100 gowns along with 87 additional ordinary lehengas, indicating clear misdeclaration of the imported goods.

The agency said the operation prevented an attempted Tk 3.17 million in duty and tax evasion. Including applicable penalties, the total amount recoverable is estimated at around Tk 6 million.

CIID said a detailed investigation report has been sent to the Dhaka Customs House for necessary legal action against the importer.