Discovering 2 container of padouk wood “under the cloak” of Honduran mahogany wood

Fine woods were detected by Hai Phong Customs. Photo: T.Binh

According to General Department of Vietnam Customs, the case was detected at Nam Hai Dinh Vu port (Hai Phong) by Customs Enforcement Unit (Hai Phong Customs Department) coordinated with Hai Phong port area 3 Customs Branch. The enterprises committed violation is Perfect link international Co., Ltd (at HCM city).

Based on the declaration of the company, goods were sawed mahogany timber which was not in the list of CITES (Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

The goods were packaged in 2 containers No. CMAU0422166 and No. CMAU1021872 that were registered to do import procedure of Customs declaration No. 101595518250/A11 dated 7/9/2017 at Hai Phong area 3 Customs Branch.

However, through the physical inspection of Customs force and the inspection results by the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, goods was padouk wood that is in the appendix II of List of wild fauna and flora species specified in Appendices of Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( Issues along with Circular No. 04/2017 / TT-BNNPTNT, dated 24 February, 2007 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).

According to the regulations, the goods included in Appendix II must be licensed by the CITES Management Authority of related members countries.

The Customs Enforcement Team issued a decision to detain and continued to implement professional measures to verify and serve as the basis for handling according to the provisions of law.

Earlier, in 8/2017, also at Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port, Unit 1 (Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department, General Department of Vietnam Customs) presided to coordinate with Hai Phong Customs Enforcement Team, Hai Phong port area 3 Customs Branch discovered two containers of wood from West Africa which was included in Annex II of Circular 40. However, the enterprises did not do procedures to receive the shipment.