Latest news with #CustomsDepartment
New Straits Times
16 hours 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
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
36 coastal villages in Kanniyakumari affected by plastic pellets was ashore; clean-up drive underway
In Kanniyakumri district, a total of 36 coastal villages have so far reported the washing ashore of plastic pellets (nurdles) from the Liberian vessel that sank off the Kochi coast on May 24. Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena told reporters on Monday that out of 42 coastal villages, 36 among them stretching from Neerodi to Keezha Manakudi villages had reported to be affected with nurdles and other materials such as wooden logs and cashew nuts. The collector noted, 'The district administration had earlier conducted a meeting with representatives from around 15 fishing hamlets at Thengapattinam harbour to explain about the do's and don'ts related to the handling of debris.' She added that the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority had provided a Standard Operating Procedure for managing the situation, which includes surveys using drones, engaging individuals above 18 years for cleaning the nurdles using gloves, spade and other safety equipment. The collected nurdles were currently being safely stored at respective block and municipality offices. The collector further mentioned that arrangements were underway to transport the nurdles to nearby harbours located in Thengapattinam, Colachel and Chinna Muttam, depending on the proximity of the reported area. As this is an ongoing process, she emphasised that documentation plays a crucial role. Officials from fisheries, revenue, pollution control board and other related departments are involved in the operation. The collected nurdles would be handed over to the Customs Department, said Ms. Alagumeena.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Cooperation with Qatar in customs field enhances economic security: Jordanian Customs director-general
AMMAN: Director-General of Jordanian Customs Maj Gen Ahmad Akalik has praised the partnership with the General Authority of Customs describing it as exemplary and a model to follow in the field of Arab customs integration. In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Director-General of Jordanian Customs said that the cooperation between Jordan and Qatar in the customs field reflects a shared commitment to modernizing performance and enhancing the efficiency of the customs system in a way that supports development and strengthens economic security. He explained that the relationship with the State of Qatar's General Authority of Customs is based on the actual exchange of expertise and direct insight into smart and modern work systems. He affirmed that the General Authority of Customs has demonstrated advanced readiness in adopting technological solutions that contribute to reducing customs clearance time to just a few minutes. Akalik noted that Jordan Customs has benefited from the Qatari experience in several areas such as electronic tracking, automation of procedures, risk management, and streamlining the movement of goods. He confirmed that this cooperation has helped Jordan prepare to adopt new operational models that align with international standards. Jordan's Customs Department is currently working on a comprehensive customs system project that will bring all customs operations under one electronic umbrella, based on the global 'ASYCUDA'system. He underlined that the project has entered the procedure-mapping phase to unify work mechanisms across various crossings, including Jaber, Al-Omari, Al-Karama, and others, aiming to eliminate redundancies and create a unified smart customs environment. He affirmed that the system will also integrate with the human resources system, granting employees their authorities based on tasks rather than geographic location, which enhances discipline and reduces waste in resource allocation. Regarding the new customs law in Jordan, Akalik explained that it is considered a modern law built on three main pillars: the first is activating post-clearance audit instead of border inspection, which facilitates trade and reduces pressure on border crossings; the second is unifying regulatory bodies under the umbrella of the Customs Department to simplify procedures; and the third is formally integrating technology into the customs process, allowing stakeholders to remotely monitor inspection processes. He added that the new law has resolved many contentious issues such as value assessment and the timing of goods seizure. He noted that the law was the result of national dialogue with various partners and was smoothly passed through the countryط·s legislative institutions. In terms of facilitation, he revealed that the department launched a pre-clearance system for goods at the beginning of June, based on a trader's declaration, with subsequent audits conducted under a smart risk system. This significantly reduces time and effort at border crossings, he added. The system will initially be applied to compliant companies on the silver list, with continuous evaluation for broader implementation, he said, affirming that the project will lead to a major reduction in customs clearance times and enhance competitiveness. Regarding e-commerce, the Director-General of Jordanian Customs said that Jordan's e-commerce center is among the first specialized centers in the region and has recently handled over 1 million bills of lading. He pointed out that Customs is working to strike a balance between e-commerce and traditional trade in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Customs dept seizes contraband cigarettes worth RM1.44mil in Kelantan
Kelantan customs department director Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long said the cigarettes were worth RM286,234, while the tax duties totalled RM1.16 million. (Customs pic) PETALING JAYA : The Kelantan customs department has seized 1.72 million contraband cigarettes worth RM1.44 million after a raid on a house at Kampung Babong in Kota Bharu. The department's Kelantan director, Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long, said the raid, carried out on May 7, was conducted by the Kota Bharu enforcement branch's operations team. 'We seized 1.72 million cigarettes of various kinds as well as an MPV. The cigarettes were valued at RM286,234. The tax duties totalled RM1.16 million,' Sinar Harian reported him as saying today. He said the MPV, costing about RM30,000, was used to distribute the cigarettes and the house was most likely rented for the purpose of storing contraband cigarettes before their distribution. The case is being investigated under sections 135(1)(e) and 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possession and distribution of contraband.
![[UPDATED] RM1.63mil worth of drones declared as kitchen towels seized](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FBN052607690_1748343104.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] RM1.63mil worth of drones declared as kitchen towels seized
PETALING JAYA: A shipment declared as kitchen towels that arrived at North Port, Port Klang last month was found to contain 20 agricultural drones instead. The drones, with an estimated value of RM1.63 million, were shipped from a neighbouring country. Customs Department assistant director-general Raizam Setapa @ Mustapha said the container was detected at 5.15pm on April 23. "Our officers, in collaboration with representatives from the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim), scanned the container and discovered 20 drones inside, instead of kitchen towels," she told reporters today. "I would like to emphasise that the importation of electronic goods such as drones requires a Certificate of Approval (CoA) from Sirim before they can be legally brought into Malaysia." Raizam said the drones were believed to have been imported from an Asian country for the local market, specifically for agricultural purposes. "This marks the first case of its kind involving the seizure of large-scale drones," she said. "We have recorded statements from several individuals, including the forwarding agent and the importer." In a separate case, Raizam said 21,351 litres of illicit alcoholic beverages, valued at RM2.81 million, were seized at North Port, Port Klang on May 7. The shipment was declared as furniture in an attempt to evade detection. "We believe the consignment, which originated from a neighbouring country, was intended for distribution within the local market," she said.
