Selangor Customs seize over RM770,000 worth of prohibited goods in Port Klang

New Straits Times

12-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Customs Department thwarted attempts to smuggle four types of prohibited goods into the country, with total seizures estimated at RM772,000, including unpaid duties and taxes.
Its director, Tun Norlela Azumi Ramli, said the enforcement division made the seizures in four separate operations at the Free Zone areas of Port Klang in March.
In the first case, the enforcement team detained a 20-foot container carrying 10,000kg of rice on March 25.
Tun Nurlela Azmi said checks showed that the rice had been imported without a valid permit.
"The goods were falsely declared as basil seed, mixed leaf, and mixed spices in an attempt to evade the import permit requirement under Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas).
"The estimated value of the seized rice was RM170,000, with RM68,000 in unpaid duties and taxes," she said in a statement today.
The second seizure, made on March 20, involved a 40-foot container holding 147,600 units of electrical accessories valued at RM163,622.50.
She said the importer was believed to have used incorrect declarations and tariff codes to avoid obtaining approval from the Energy Commission (ST) and SIRIM. The unpaid duties and taxes involved were estimated at RM57,768.18.
In the third case, Tun Nurlela Azmi said customs officers seized 492 units of electric bicycles worth RM123,000 from a 40-foot container on March 25.
The importer allegedly declared the items as bicycle parts to avoid the need for a permit from the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI).
The final case involved a shipment of 7,320 litres of ethyl alcohol, found on March 20.
The goods, believed to have originated from Europe, were declared as ethanol solution to evade permit requirements from the department's director-general.
The seized alcohol was valued at RM73,200 with unpaid duties and taxes totalling RM117,229.
Tun Norlela Azmi also urged the public to assist the department in combating smuggling activities involving cigarettes, liquor, firecrackers, drugs, vehicles and other contraband, warning that such crimes not only affect national revenue but also pose a threat to public safety and national security.