CAPTION: FRCA CEO Jitoko Tikolevu.
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) is warning those importing goods and selling them on social marketing networks to correctly declare the goods to Customs.
The warning comes after locals have been found to be bringing in goods and declaring them as personal effects. Surveillance by Customs Officers revealed that they were selling these “personal effects” on social marketing networks. 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.
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.
“We are urging members of the public to correctly declare the goods and pay the appropriate dues,” FRCA Chief Executive, Mr Jitoko Tikolevu said.
“The penalties they would incur could be much more than the dues that they should have paid.
“And it is advisable that they follow the law.”
Those found engaged in such activities could be penalised up to $10,000 for strict liability under Section 137 and a fine not exceeding three times the value of the goods or $20’000 whichever is the greater or to imprisonment for 2 years or to both such fine and imprisonment and the goods if any, for intention to defraud under Section 139.
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