The CNMI Division of Customs is ramping up its campaign against the entry of illegal and undervalued goods to make sure all import duty and other taxes are properly collected for revenue of the local government.<\/p>\n
Customs director Jose Mafnas said that they recently intercepted an undeclared 300 cases of liquor from a 40-foot container that they inspected. The CNMI could have lost an estimated $14,000 in revenues if it entered the local marker.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a good interception for us since we [CNMI government] did not lose $14,000 in tax revenues,\u201d said Mafnas, who chose not to divulge the identity of the consignee who was named the recipient of the goods.<\/p>\n
He added that Customs officers had also intercepted the entry of counterfeit shirts. \u201cAnd we\u2019re still finding a lot of under evaluation of goods, these are products that are coming in the CNMI that are undervalued. These are some of the stuff that are coming in, but we\u2019re catching it before it entered the CNMI.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mafnas said the amount could have cost thousands of dollars in revenues for the CNMI if it were undetected. \u201cEspecially in counterfeit goods, we don\u2019t want the CNMI\u2019s reputation to suffer for our tourism industry. [For tourists] to buy and have that product at the genuine price only to find out that it was counterfeit. That\u2019s the very reason why we\u2019re vigilant in making sure those products don\u2019t end up out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder evaluation of goods, [like a] two-door stainless fridge with ice-making capabilities valued at less than $200, that\u2019s insulting. Businesses out there that are compliant are another reason why we\u2019re vigilant in intercepting these undervalued and undeclared goods. It is unfair for those who are compliant.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that he is confident on the work done by his officers and staff. \u201cWe\u2019re always on our toes and we\u2019re working 24\/7. Customs is a 24-hour job. I rarely get sleepless nights because I put my confidence in my staff. If anything happens, I would receive a call and information on what had transpired.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres lauded the efforts of Mafnas and his officers in making sure all taxed on goods entering the CNMI are collected. \u201cEven for this 40-foot container with 300 cases of liquor, that\u2019s $14,000. That\u2019s just $14,000 but the message we are giving out there is that you should not be doing this kind of activities. I understand it\u2019s a mistake if one case or two, but 300 is different. So, I hope there were penalties involved or citation for not putting in the proper documentation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to your staff director. You are the ones who are behind the scenes at the frontline before the items come in. You just busted meth [ice], other drugs or goods entering. The people usually don\u2019t know that you guys are the ones who intercepts and checks items that are coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n