Due to Covid-19 pandemic, smugglers keep trying to adopt different approaches for smuggling. However, Customs officers never lower their guard. Instead, they have been monitoring high risk containers by making good use of risk management mechanisms. On May 24, Kaohsiung Customs (KHC) officers were screening manifests and found a suspicious container with transshipment cargo from Kampong Saom port (KHKOS) to Indonesia via Kaohsiung port. They targeted the cargo for inspection. After it was unloaded from the vessel, KHC officers found the container was nearly filled with untaxed“Double Happiness”brand tobacco during inspection. All of the contraband cigarettes were not listed on the manifest or B/L and therefore were detained pursuant to the Customs Anti-smuggling Act and the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act. Based on the initial estimate, the amount of contraband cigarettes was approximately 1,000 boxes, valued at NT$ 30 million.

KHC indicated that the price of cigarettes has increased due to the rise of tobacco and alcohol tax as well as the health and welfare surcharge. Furthermore, demand for tobacco usually grows before festivals. Therefore, in order to reap high profits, smugglers attempt to use transshipment containers to smuggle tobacco that is disqualified and severely injurious to human health.

Customs, being in charge of border control and smuggling prevention, will continuously strengthen enforcement actions to prevent smuggled cigarettes from entering our territory so as to ensure tax revenue for the country, and to protect the health of all citizens. At the meantime, KHC also urges the public to report any illegal smuggling unhesitatingly by calling the toll-free number:0800-711117.