Latest news with #CustomsDeclarationForms
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Customs to act against agents, importers flouting rules
PUTRAJAYA: The Customs Department will not hesitate to take firm action against customs agents or importers who violate regulations or fail to exercise due diligence and ethical conduct, said acting director-general Datuk Norlela Ismail. "The department will not hesitate to act against any customs agent or importer proven to have violated the law or failed to exercise due diligence and comply with the Customs Agent Code of Ethics," Norlela said in a statement today. She said such actions could include the suspension or cancellation of approvals and import licences, prosecution under the law, or blacklisting from dealing with the department, depending on the outcome of internal investigations. Norlela welcomed the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission's (EAIC) recommendations to strengthen governance, improve oversight, and ensure stricter compliance with Customs Standing Orders by customs agents and importers. Between January 2023 and May 2025, she said the department had suspended or revoked approvals for 898 firms due to non-compliance. "The significant increase in 2025, with 758 cancellations, is the result of a nationwide compliance audit by our Customs Agent Control Unit across Malaysia," she added. On import licences involving cigarettes, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages, a total of 21 were cancelled or suspended over the same period for breaches of licensing conditions. "All enforcement actions are conducted with due care and in accordance with legal provisions to ensure that the rights of legitimate licence holders are protected," Norlela said. The public is urged to report smuggling activities via the Customs toll-free line 1-800-88-8855. The department has assured that whistleblowers' identities will remain confidential. On Tuesday, the EAIC said it had identified weaknesses in the approval process for Customs Declaration Forms used to clear imported goods. The commission also found that some importers and customs agents had made declarations without adhering to the existing provisions under the Customs Standing Orders. As a result, the EAIC has recommended improvements to the Customs Department to enhance oversight and ensure stricter compliance with Customs Standing Orders by importers and customs agents.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
EAIC finds weakness in customs declaration process
PUTRAJAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has identified weaknesses in the approval process for Customs Declaration Forms used to clear imported goods. In a statement today, the EAIC said its investigation also found that some importers and customs agents had made declarations without adhering to the existing provisions under the Customs Standing Orders. "The EAIC received complaints against the Customs Department alleging failure to revoke the licences of importers and agents who violated the Customs Standing Orders. Investigations were conducted under subsection 27(4) of the EAIC Act 2009 (Act 700)," the statement read. As a result, the EAIC has recommended improvements to the Customs Department to enhance oversight and ensure stricter compliance with Customs Standing Orders by importers and customs agents. The commission also urged the department to take firm action against any party found to be in breach of these regulations. – BERNAMA
