Hai Phong Customs seize container of tortoise shells, cosmetics and used electronic devices

The violated items were being investigated for clarification by Hai Phong Customs.

On August 8, a representative of the Customs Enforcement Unit (Hai Phong Customs Department) said that through investigation, the unit discovered a suspicious shipment in container No. KMTU9340102 under bill of lading No.KMTCHKG3515890, transported on the ship SUNY ROSE and arriving at Green port (Hai Phong) on June 4, 2019.

On June 21, Hai Phong Customs Enforcement Unit cooperated with Hai Phong Port Area 3 Customs Branch and related organizations to inspect the above shipment at the port.

In the process of examination, the customs force requested verification from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) to identify the name, type, quantity, quality and conservation status of goods.

The inspection results showed that the goods included animal products, supplementary foods, cosmetics, fake jewelry, electrical devices and electronic products.

Notably, in the shipment there was a large number of tortoise shells of the Southern tortoise (scientific name Amyda cartinlaginea), Painted Terrapin (scientific name Batagur amboinensis) and Amboina Box Turtle (scientific name Cuora amboinensis).

According to Hai Phong Customs Department, three species of Southern tortoise, Painted Terrapin and Amboina Box Turtle are listed in the Appendix II of the List of Wildlife Species in the Annexes of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Hai Phong Customs Enforcement Unit has temporarily seized the above shipment to verify and make a basis for strict handling in accordance with regulations.

Recently, Hai Phong Customs has detected and seized many illegal shipments of wild animals and products including ivory and pangolin scales.