Customs Amnesty Drawing To A Close

August 23, 1999 - The Customs Amnesty period is drawing to a close and Customs officials are encouraging the public to make maximum use of the opportunity. During the period which comes to an end on September 30, 1999, persons guilty of undervaluing their goods and withholding appropriate duties on merchandise entering the country will be pardoned of the penalty fines and only duties on the goods will be collected.

Acting Comptroller of Customs Joachim Thomas warned defaulters, that the customs department is able to trace the entry of undervalued goods imported through informants – persons who have the knowledge and can detect the wrong doings of others. The Customs Department also set out to acquire documents of imported goods and comparing that information with what is presented to Customs by an importer.

Mr. Thomas emphasized that the Amnesty is for everybody, "It predominantly targets business persons because that is where the bulk of the import duty is collected." However, he said, any individual who has items in his or her possession that they have not paid duty on, this is their opportunity to come in and get this regularized.

The undervaluing of goods has been going on for a number of years here but customs officials say as of now there it is critical that persons declare goods properly. "If you have not been declaring your goods properly, don’t let us have to come and find that out because in addition to the duty due you are going to pay a penalty," Thomas ended.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Search for Press Releases 1999 ] [Site Help]

© 2001 Government Information Service. All rights reserved.

Read our privacy guidelines.