Underinvoicing to pay lesser government duty
Question
I am an importer of goods and have always been honest in paying my government duties. I have noticed that importers request their suppliers to under-invoice the consignment in order to pay a lesser amount in government duty.By me importing goods the proper way, I will be more expensive and will not be competitive in the market. Is it permissible for me to under invoice the consignment in order to be competitive in the market?
Answer
Every person who resides in a country or acquires its citizenship and enters into an agreement with that government should follow the laws of that land, therefore, he is under obligation to follow the laws unless a law of the land that compells him to do an act which is prohibited in Shariah. On the basis of this principle, since smuggling is illegal, a Muslim is required to abide by this restriction. (Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani, Pakistan)
From Al Mahmood 10
Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.
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Source: Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah — https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/469
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/askimam-469
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