SARS Customs Border Control and Dog unit officials detained items of clothing, including 2010 related apparel today. The operation, which is still under way, followed a tip-off received this morning about a truck delivering suspicious goods to a warehouse in Victoria Street, Durban.
SARS Customs Border Control unit officials were deployed immediately to the scene following the tip-off with support from the South African Police Service (SAPS). SARS Customs officials and the SAPS visited the warehouse and found the truck offloading goods. The owners of the store failed to provide Customs Bills of Entries or any documentation relating to the goods, resulting in SARS customs officials detaining the goods under section 88(1)(a) of the Customs Act.
The goods, which are suspected to be counterfeit, have been moved to the state warehouse till further investigation into the case has been conducted. Notable goods detained inside the warehouse during the operation include:
* Bafana-Bafana football jerseys (FIFA related)
* Bafana-Bafana training jackets (FIFA related)
* England football jerseys (FIFA related)
* Nike sports apparel
* Puma sporting apparel
* Nike Kaizer Chiefs supporters jerseys
* Daniel Hector, Boss, Guess and Levi Jeans
The delivery truck which has also been moved to the state warehouse was found to have sportswear, golf shirts, jeans and what appear to be supporters’ jerseys for England, Brazil, France and Portugal. SARS customs officials are still counting the goods found inside the truck.
SARS customs would like to thank the SAPS for their assistance during today’s operation and also urge members of the public to contact our Fraud and Anti Corruption hotline at 0800 00 28 70 to report any suspicious business activity.
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
17 March 2010
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.zars.gov.za/)
