'Renegade' importers face fines over extended release system

THERE ARE some importers who are
not adhering to the requirements
of the “extended release” system,
and the authorities warn that they
could face fines, the withdrawal of
“extended release” privileges, or
prosecution – which could even
result in imprisonment.
This refers to cargoes which
must be cleared with a government
department (mostly the departments
of agriculture and health) before they
can be used by the importer.
They use the “extended release”
system to facilitate delivery to
importers, but at the same time,
the importers must comply with
conditions laid down.
These are that shipments are
released to importers on the
strict understanding that they
will notify the local office of the
department concerned as soon as
the container(s) are received, and will
arrange the necessary examinations
within a pre-determined time frame.
Import consignments have to be
held intact and may not be utilised
until the relevant examinations have
been carried out and release granted.
Importers must also ensure
that the regional offices of the
government department that
grant the initial extended release
are informed when the necessary
examinations have been conducted.
And, suggested a forwarding
contact of FTW, proof of compliance
should be obtained from the local
departmental representative who
conducts the examination, and
acquitted with the department that
originally authorised the extended
release.