Restricted cigarettes, tobacco derivatives seized in Oman

Muscat: Oman Customs has raided a site used by expats and seized quantities of restricted and adulterated cigarettes and tobacco derivatives in South Al Batinah Governorate.

A statement issued online by Oman Customs said: "The Investigation and Risk Assessment Department raids a site for expatriate workers in the Wilayat of Barka and seizes quantities of restricted and adulterated cigarettes and tobacco derivatives."

Article 145 of the Unified Customs Law stated that without prejudice to any higher penalty provided for in other regulations applicable in the State, smuggling and like offences and the attempt to commit any of them shall be penalised as follows:

1- lf the smuggled goods are subject to high customs taxes “duties”, the penalty shall be a fine not less than double the payable customs taxes “duties” and not more than double the value of the goods and imprisonment for not one month but not to exceed one year or either of them. As for the other goods, the penalty shall be a fine not less than double the payable customs taxes “duties” and not more than the value of the goods and imprisonment for not less than one month but not to exceed one year or either of them.

2- If smuggled goods are exempted from customs taxes “duties”, the penalty shall be a fine of not less than 10 per cent of the value of the goods and not more than their value and imprisonment for not less than one month but not to exceed one year or either of them.

3-If smuggled goods are prohibited ones, the penalty shall be a fine not less than the value of the goods, but not more than three times the value and an imprisonment for not less than six months, but not to exceed three years or either of them. Confiscation of the smuggled goods or imposing a fine equivalent to the value thereof when the goods are not seized.

4- Confiscation of the means of transportation and the tools and materials used in smuggling, excluding public means of transportation such as ships, aircraft, trains and public vehicles, unless they are intended or hired for smuggling purposes, or imposing a fine equivalent to their value when goods are not seized.

5-The penalty may be doubled if the offence is repeated.