Background

A shipment of ready-made garments was stopped by the Customs Department in the name of a company. The Customs submitted samples to the laboratory after the merchant had pledged to wait for the results before disposing of the goods. The results showed the non-conformity of the sample with the components of the raw material and the specification of the fabric resistance to pelleting conditions. The case was referred to the First Instance customs Committee.

The Committee issued a ruling convicting the owner of the company of smuggling and compelled him to pay a customs fine equivalent to 10% of the value of the shipment and requested the merchant to pay the equivalent of the value of the shipment as a forfeiture fee.

The owner of the company filed an appeal but did not include arguments that would undermine the ruling's regularity. The case was referred to Jeddah Customs Appeals Committee.

Decision