Under-invoicing goods
Question
When importing goods from other countries, the goods are not invoiced at the actual purchased price but under-invoiced to save on duties. Is such a practice acceptable or considered as a lie in Islam?
Answer
We assume that your query pertains to whether under-invoicing goods is considered as a lie or not. If the actual purchase price of the item was R20 but was invoiced at R10 then this cannot be considered as a lie, as in actual fact one did pay R10. He simply didn’t state the full amount paid for the item; he only mentioned part of the purchase price.
Notwithstanding the above, many custom officials are fully aware of goods being under-invoiced and such an action could ultimately lead to one being prosecuted. It is Haraam to bring any form of humiliation upon oneself, hence we advise abstention from such practices.
- Answered by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai
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