MELAKA: The Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle 5,069kg of shark fins, estimated to be worth RM8.36mil including duties and taxes, after seizing a container at Port Klang, Selangor.
Its Melaka director Roslan Yusoff said the seizure involved 180 sacks of shark fins believed to be imported from Guyana in South America for the local market.
He said the goods were initially declared as fish skin, which is subject to a 5% tax.
“An inspection around noon on July 2, by a team from the Melaka enforcement division, along with the Narcotics Branch from the headquarters, found that the goods were shark fins, which is subject to a 10% tax,” he said, Bernama reported.
Roslan said that the shark fins also required inspection and approval from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department as well as the Malaysian Fisheries Department in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
He said a man in his 50s, representing the shipping agent and responsible for managing the trade declaration documents, was detained to assist in the investigation. The importing company located in Selangor has also been identified, with its director being traced to assist in the investigation.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for importing uncustomed or prohibited goods.
