SHAH ALAM: The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) foiled four smuggling attempts involving goods worth RM772,819.68, including duties and taxes, in March.
Selangor JKDM director Tun Norlela Azumi Ramli said a container was detained on March 25 at the Port Klang free zone, where officers found 10,000 kilogrammes of rice believed to have been imported without a permit.
“The importer had falsely declared the goods as basil seeds, mixed leaf and mixed spices to avoid the need for an import permit from Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS). The estimated duties and taxes involved amounted to RM238,000,” she said in a statement today.
In a separate case on the same day, another container was detained at the North Port free zone, where authorities discovered 492 suspected electric bicycles, estimated to be worth RM123,000, also believed to have been brought in without the necessary import permit.
“The importer had declared the consignment as bicycle parts to evade the requirement for an import permit from the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. The items are also suspected to have originated from China,” she said.
Tun Norlela Azumi said that in the third case on March 20, a container carrying 147,600 units of electrical accessories was seized at the Port Klang free zone.
“The goods were declared as plugs, adaptors and accessories, and incorrect tariff codes were used to bypass the requirement for a Certificate of Approval. The value, including duties/taxes, was RM221,390.68,” she said.
The same day, JKDM also seized 7,320 litres of suspected ethyl alcohol at the West Port free zone, falsely declared as ethanol solution, with an estimated value of RM190,429.
All four cases are being investigated under Sections 135(1)(a) and 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for importing prohibited goods and making false declarations. – Bernama
