Social networks
By RACHNA LAL
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) has warned those importing goods and selling them on social marketing networks to correctly declare the goods to Customs.
The authority sent this warning after it found locals have been found to be bringing in goods and declaring them as personal effects.
Surveillance by customs officers revealed they were selling these “personal effects” on social marketing networks.
Authority chief executive, Jitoko Tikolevu, in a statement said: “We are urging members of the public to correctly declare the goods and pay the appropriate dues.
“The penalties they would incur could be much more than the dues they should have paid. And it is advisable they follow the law.”
Recent case
The authority said customs officers in Nadi came across a recent case where a person was engaged in such activity.
“The person declared the goods to be personal effects but persistent questioning from the officers led her to admit that they were for commercial use,” it said.
Penalties
Under Section 137 of Customs Act, failure to declare goods is a crime. People could also be charged for intending to defraud under Section 139 of the case.
Those found engaged in such activities could be penalised up to $10,000 for strict liability under Section 137.
A fine not exceeding three times the value of the goods or $20,000, whichever is the greater, is also possible or imprisonment for two years or to both such fine and imprisonment and the goods if any, for intention to defraud under Section 139.