THOSE FOUND guilty of overextending the Department of Health's concession known as an extended health detention release could face a hefty fine.
This procedure was put in place to streamline cargo movement and reduce costs for the cargo owner. It allowed goods normally subject to a port health inspection to be cleared by customs and delivered to the importer.
However, they still had to be kept separate from normal stock and wait to be examined and passed by the department's inspectors before they could be used or marketed.
But, apparently, not everybody is playing the game and some importers are ignoring the rules.
So-much-so that forwarder Safcor warns that it has been advised by the Department that guilty parties could be fined up to 20% of the value of the cargo if they infringe the rulings. Repeat offenders are also likely to be refused the benefits of extended release.
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