The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has foiled an attempt to smuggle more than five tonnes of shark fins worth an estimated RM8.36 million, including duties and taxes, during an operation at Port Klang earlier this month.
Melaka Customs director Roslan Yusoff said officers from the department’s Enforcement Division, together with the Customs Headquarters Narcotics Branch, inspected a shipping container at Port Klang on July 2 and discovered 180 sacks containing 5,069kg of shark fins.
Initial documentation declared the shipment as fish skin under tariff code 0511.91 3000, which carries a five per cent tax rate. However, a physical inspection revealed that the container actually contained shark fins, which should have been declared under tariff code 0302.92 000 and are subject to a 10 per cent tax.
Roslan said imports of shark fins also require inspection and approval from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) and the Department of Fisheries Malaysia in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The seized shark fins are estimated to have a market value of RM7.60 million, with unpaid duties amounting to RM760,275.18, bringing the total value of the seizure to RM8,363,026.98.
Preliminary investigations found that the shipment was allegedly falsely declared to avoid inspections by the authorities and reduce the amount of tax payable.
The container has been seized, while a man in his 50s representing the shipping agency has been detained to assist with investigations.
A local company based in Selangor is also under investigation, and its director is currently being traced. The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967 for importing uncustomed or prohibited goods.
