The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said in a statement on Facebook that they failed an attempt to smuggle 74 counterfeit items into Singapore at the Tuas Port.
ICA’s Facebook statement
𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁
On 11 Mar, ICA officers at Tuas Port foiled an attempt to smuggle 74 articles of suspected counterfeit apparel in an inbound cargo container.
Officers detected anomalies in the scanned images of a cargo container and targeted it for enhanced checks.
A total of 74 articles of undeclared suspected counterfeit apparel including “Louis Vuitton” & “Chanel” handbags, “Gucci” accessories, “Christian Dior” jewellery and “Rolex” watches were uncovered hidden amongst other assorted cargo.
The case was referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
As Guardians of Our Borders, ICA is committed to facilitating trade & safe travels while keeping Singapore’s borders safe & secure.
Potential penalties
Singapore is a country that takes the issue of counterfeit goods and smuggling very seriously. As a hub for international trade, the city-state is particularly vulnerable to these illegal activities. Smuggling counterfeit items into Singapore is a serious offense and carries significant penalties.
The penalties for smuggling counterfeit items into Singapore can be severe. If you are caught smuggling counterfeit items into the country, you could face fines, imprisonment, or both. The penalties depend on the type and quantity of the counterfeit items, as well as the circumstances surrounding the smuggling operation.
If you are caught with less than 50 counterfeit items, you could face a fine of up to SGD 10,000 or imprisonment for up to 3 years. If you are caught with more than 50 counterfeit items, you could face a fine of up to SGD 100,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years. In some cases, you may face both fines and imprisonment.
In addition to fines and imprisonment, you may also have to forfeit any profits made from the sale of the counterfeit items. The Singapore authorities may also seize any counterfeit items found in your possession.