Saudi Public Prosecution identifies 7 types of smuggling that incur penalties

RIYADH — The Public Prosecution has identified seven types of smuggling activities for which the perpetrators will have to face punitive measures. The following illegal activities come under the purview of smuggling, according to sources at the Public Prosecution.

Failure to take the goods to the customs office upon their entry; failure to follow the specific methods for the entry and exit of goods; loading or unloading goods in ships in a way that is different from the regulations in the customs office for loading and unloading; loading and unloading goods in aircraft illegally outside official airports, and dumping goods during the middle of the flight and this is after taking into account of the provisions of Article 40 of the Anti-Smuggling Law.

The smuggling activities also include the entry or exit of goods after bypassing the customs office without declaring them; not declaring the tonnage of incoming or outgoing goods at the customs office and this also includes the commercial goods that travelers carry, and finally the discovery, by the customs offices, of unauthorized goods that are placed in caches with the intention of concealing them, or in gaps or voids that are not usually designated to contain such goods.

The Public Prosecution has defined the smuggling activity as bringing or attempting to bring goods into the country or taking or attempting to take out of the country in violation of the rules and regulations prevailing in the country and that is without paying the customs taxes or duties in whole or in part, or contrary to the provisions of prohibition or restriction contained in the Anti-Smuggling Law and other rules and regulations.