CIC flags fake importers 

Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) has uncovered suspected revenue evasion linked to imports of Cellulose Acetate Tow, a key raw material used in cigarette filters.

The agency stopped a shipment after finding that the importer was reportedly a non-existent business, potentially preventing a revenue loss of Tk16.44 crore in import-stage revenue. CIC has also identified four more importers whose registered addresses reportedly showed no apparent business activities. 

CIC launched the analysis after detecting a rise in commercial imports of Acetate Tow. One importer under scrutiny was Unique Traders. CIC asked the relevant VAT department to verify the company’s business activities.

CIC found that Unique Traders had imported 48,143kg of Acetate Tow in two containers through Chattogram Customs House. 

Based on input-output data submitted by two cigarette manufacturers in VAT returns, about 8,937 cigarettes can be produced from one kilogram of Acetate Tow. The shipment could therefore theoretically correspond to about 43.02 crore cigarettes, or 4.30 crore packets of 10.