“Replica” Wheels From Thailand Seized Due To Inaccurate Tax Declaration

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) in Perlis successfully prevented an attempt to smuggle 2,626 aftermarket wheels worth RM 636,235 into the country via two container trucks. Both were reportedly flagged due to inaccurate declarations on the import paperwork, Customs Form 1 (K1).

According to JKDM, its Enforcement Branch in Padang Besar assessed both Thailand-registered container trucks and discovered a large number of high-quality "Japanese-made" wheels ranging from 15- to 19-inch in sizes. However, based on the AOW branding on the boxes, we at CariCarz.com believe these are knock-offs (fakes) of Japanese-branded wheels instead of being “Japanese-made” as per JKDM’s statement.

According to Perlis Customs Director Ismail Hashim, the incident occurred on March 31 at the commercial vehicle inspection lane of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority Complex (LKIM) in Padang Besar.

Both truck drivers had submitted import documents with a number of 15-inch rims that had been purposely left undeclared in order to save on taxes. Following this, both drivers and a 46-year-old local male representative of the shipping company were detained to aid in the investigation before being released on bail.

The total estimated value of the seized products is RM636,235, with duties and taxes amounting to RM166,082. The case is currently being investigated under Section 133(1)(e) of the Customs Act of 1967, which entails a maximum fine of RM500,000, imprisonment for no more than seven years, or both.