The General Administration of Customs has issued customs regulations on the mechanism how to deal with seizure reports issued in cases of smuggling cigarettes, their derivatives and food items at all customs ports, in light of the Unified Customs Law No. 10 of 2003 for the Gulf Cooperation Council states based on Minister of Finance Decision No. 30 of 2003 regarding Customs data and regulations.
According to the customs instructions issued in the Official Gazette Kuwait Al-Yawm (copy obtained by Al-Anba), according to the requirements of the public interest and to facilitate customs procedures, smuggled cigarettes and food supplies are dealt with as follows:
First: Seizure reports are issued in cases of smuggling cigarettes, their derivatives, and food supplies at all customs ports, with notification of the violator or his representative by written notification according to the following:
1- With regard to smuggled cigarettes and their derivatives, a fine of twice the value of the seized goods is imposed and referred to the treasury, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 148/151/A – 168 of the Unified Customs Law.
2- A fine of twice the value of the smuggled food supplies shall be imposed and confiscated in accordance with the provisions of Articles 148 and 151/a of the Unified Customs Law.
3- The Legal Affairs Department shall be notified with a photocopy of the seizure report issued of the incident within 72 hours from the date of its issuance.
Second: The Director of the Documentation Administration or whomever he delegates shall authorize the Director-General of Customs in the absence of the Director of the Documentation Administration to impose the aforementioned fines with acceptance of reconciliation against whom the seizure report is issued.
Third: If the person concerned complains about the incident, the matter, with all its attachments, is referred to the Legal Affairs Department for consideration, and the report is submitted to the Director-General of the Customs Department.
Fourth: In the event that the violator or his representative fails to pay the fine imposed on him after 15 days from the date of imposition of the fine, according to the written notification, the matter is referred to the Social Affairs Department.
