Da Nang Customs seize over 3,000 cigars transporting via airway

Exhibits of the case.

On March 24, the Exit and Entry Luggage Customs Procedures Team under the Da Nang International Airport Customs Branch detected a female passenger of Cuban nationality suspected of bringing cigars from Thailand to Vietnam (via Danang International Airport) on flight No.PG997. In the presence of competent units of Da Nang Customs Department, related authorities and the passenger, Da Nang International Airport Customs Branch conducted a physical inspection of three pieces of luggage containing 3,032 cigars and 1,500 cigar stickers.

When conducting the inspection, the passenger said she brought the items from Cuba to Russia, Thailand and then Vietnam. All of the cigars were wrapped in newspaper and the value of the shipment has not yet been determined.

The passenger was carrying baggage in excess of the duty-free limit without declaring to customs and failed to present documents related to this shipment. After conducting the physical inspection, Da Nang International Airport Customs Branch issued a decision to hold the shipment while they continue to investigate, verify and handle the case in accordance with the law.

According to current regulations on the baggage allowance, movable assets, gifts, goods exempted from tax and not subject to tax, passengers on entry into Vietnam can bring no more than 20 cigarettes.

When exceeding the baggage allowance, passengers are only allowed to import with the condition that the goods must comply with the regulations on import and export policies and must pay all taxes as prescribed. However, according to the provisions of Circular No. 37/2013/TT-BCT dated 30 December, 2013, of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on importing cigarettes and cigars, only Vietnam National Tobacco Corporation (VINATABA) can import cigarettes and cigars under the state trade mechanism designated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.