On 24 June, ICA officers at Pasir Panjang Scanning Station detected a case where 37,278 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were transported in a container attempting to exit the Free Trade Zone.
Our officers had noticed anomalies in the scanned images of the container and directed it for further checks. The contraband was found concealed within large rolls of aluminium foil. The consignment was mis-declared as “1 X 40 FT RF Container” in its Customs permit.
The case was referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
As guardians of our borders, ICA will continue to stay vigilant and thwart smuggling attempts through Singapore’s borders.
Penalties
Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the GST Act.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years. Vehicles used in the commission of such offences are also liable to be forfeited.
Image Source: Singapore Custom