The Customs Department has lost a sum of Rs.1.4 billion by not levying the maximum penalty for gold and other valuable item smuggled in the recent past, the committee observed. The department has collected only Rs. 50 million so far (this year) from fines imposed on such offenders in addition to the confiscation of their goods.

The smuggling of gold, mobile phones and other valuable items has increased during the past three years following the import restrictions imposed by the government. A fine of 100 per cent of the value of the item is now being imposed on persons for bringing in retracted valuable items since June 2023,

According to the Customs Ordinance, Custom officers have the power to arrest individuals, conduct body searches, seize vehicles or goods, question individuals and impose fines after hearing the case of offenders.