KLANG: The Customs Department thwarted its first-ever seizure of 2,500 bonsai trees worth about RM200,000.
Its deputy director Norlela Ismail said the department detained a 40-foot container in West Port on May 30.
She said the bonsai trees were seized along with other ornamental plants and are believed to have been imported without a permit.
"Bonsai trees are prohibited items where importation is allowed on condition of having an import licence under Item 29 (1), Part I, Third Schedule, Customs Order (Prohibition on Imports) 2023.
"The syndicate made a false declaration by declaring them as ornamental plants to avoid detection," she told reporters at the North Port Klang Customs office here today.
She said the tree was believed to be from a country in northern Asia, and a bonsai tree is estimated to be worth thousands of ringgit.
The seizure of bonsai trees was among five smuggling attempts that were busted by the Customs Department within a month, which included the smuggling of cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and electrical items.
She added the department also seized two containers involving 2,983 units of stand fans and air circulation fans, with an estimated value and tax amounting to RM133,500.
"Stand fans and air circulation fans are prohibited items where importation is allowed on condition of having an approval certificate from the Energy Commission," she said.
Norlela added that investigations were still ongoing under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act for importing and storing prohibited goods.
Offenders can be fined not less than 10 times the duty amount or RM100,000, whichever is greater, and not more than 20 times the customs duty amount or RM500,000, whichever is greater.
Offenders can also be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than six months or not more than five years, or both.
