Q: A person does a lot of importing goods. The goods and shipping fees are paid directly to the seller. When the item enters South Africa: If the item is less than R500 in value, customs generally do not charge anything. If more, sometimes they charge exorbitant amounts, e.g. on a item I recently purchased worth R3000 they charged R2000. This amount they charge is made up of VAT and customs import duties. They also charge clearance fees which are minimal, under R100. If I pay the clearance fee with halal money and the rest with interest money, is this permissible?
A: Some ulama have allowed the use of interest for taxes that are islamically unjustifiable.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)