What If … Customs Seized Your Shipment For Alleged Undervaluation?

A manufacturer/exporter of Fast Moving Consumer Goods changed its distribution structure from using a third party importer to incorporating its own subsidiary to perform the importing functions. This resulted in lower declared values which the relevant customs authority assumed meant duty evasion. The customs agency then seized the shipment and threatened penalties and prosecution.

Tanda liaised with the responsible officials and explained the propriety of the new distribution arrangements, obtained a proper valuation of the goods under WTO rules, and swiftly secured return of the goods to the client.