Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe has urged traders not to accept goods that have been smuggled into the country, imported without paying taxes or brought in using undervalued invoices, saying authorities have begun “backward audits” to trace such products.
In a social media post, Abeysinghe said traders should obtain an invoice for every product purchased for resale, with details of the manufacturer or importer clearly stated.
He said a backward audit involves tracing goods through retailers, suppliers and importers to determine whether the required Customs duties have been paid and whether imported goods had been undervalued.
The deputy minister also said complaints regarding imported goods being sold at unusually low prices, including suspected dumping, could be lodged with the Ministry of Industry.
He added that there was no legally recognized document known as an “on approval” bill and described its use as unlawful.
His remarks come after the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) recently took goods worth nearly Rs. 1.5 million into custody following 108 raids targeting imported cosmetics and footwear across the country.
The special enforcement and market investigation programme was conducted on Aug. 18 and 19. According to the CAA, 84 business establishments inspected during the operation were unable to produce proper receipts, bills or invoices showing how the goods had been obtained.
The inspections covered imported skin-lightening creams, facial and body cosmetics, perfumes, hair-care products, sports shoes and other imported footwear. (Newswire)