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Singapore Customs seizes over 5,600 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes

SINGAPORE — More than 5,600 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes were seized by Singapore Customs on Wednesday (Dec 7) in a self-storage facility.

A total of 3,438 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes that were hidden in picture frames were seized from the loading bay area of a self-storage facility in Singapore on Dec 7, 2016. Photo: Singapore Customs

A total of 3,438 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes that were hidden in picture frames were seized from the loading bay area of a self-storage facility in Singapore on Dec 7, 2016. Photo: Singapore Customs

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SINGAPORE — More than 5,600 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes were seized by Singapore Customs on Wednesday (Dec 7) in a self-storage facility.

Singapore Customs officers had kept a close watch as a shipment imported from China — declared as decorative items — was delivered to the facility, located in the north-eastern part of Singapore, said Singapore Customs in a press release on Friday.

When the officers checked the consignment, they found 3,438 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in 79 boxes of picture frames. After further investigation, the officers then raided a unit in the same facility and recovered another 2,197 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes.

The total amount of duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) involved amounted to about $437,280, and $44,020 respectively, said Singapore Customs. Investigations are ongoing.

Mr Tok Choon Min, Head of Special Investigation Branch, Singapore Customs, said: “Singapore Customs has raided a number of self-storage facilities and found duty-unpaid cigarettes in some of the units. We are keeping a close watch on the use of self-storage facilities for such illegal activities.”

He advised self-storage facility operators to “exercise proper due diligence in screening persons renting their facilities” and to report any suspected illegal cigarette activities taking place on their premises to Singapore Customs.

Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are offences under the Customs Act and the GST Act. Offenders may be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.

Repeat offenders caught with more than 2kg of tobacco products will also face mandatory imprisonment, while vehicles used in the commission of such offences are also liable to be forfeited.

“Anyone caught using these facilities to store duty-unpaid cigarettes will be prosecuted,” said Mr Tok.

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