The Ħal Far container complex handled no less than 8,100 containers and trailers in 2009. Inspections by Customs officials at the complex or in importers’ warehouses resulted in 210 cases where importers had failed to comply with excise duty legislation.
Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi provided these and other figures about the handling of containers during the second reading of the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, amending the excise duty legislation which also introduced an updated EU directive aimed at establishing uniformity in all member states.
He said 1,400 containers or trailers had come from non-EU member states. The European Commission had accepted nine out of the 19 applications for binding tariffs submitted by the Customs Department.
No less than 500 ships had unloaded their merchandise at Laboratory Wharf last year. Of these, 200 had consignments of cement. There were 186 ships which unloaded 6,500 containers or trailers and also carried 3,550 new cars, 1,800 of which were imported from third countries.
Customs officials had also carried out excise duty surveillance tests in 37 warehouses in Quarries Wharf and 31 others in private premises. The department had also processed 5,100 importers’ declarations.
Dr Azzopardi said 600 persons had been checked at the airport and 40 cases referred for prosecution. Departmental officials had taken 106 samples of diesel, of which 63 had irregularities.
Officials from the non-proliferation unit, which also combats terrorism, had checked documents in 100 cases and 12 consignments had been temporarily held.
Customs officials had also succeeded in making 20 drug finds, mostly at the airport. These finds included a total of 15.5 kg of cocaine and heroin and two full suitcases of hemp.
The customs intelligence section had received 1,341 alerts with 800 others received through its electronic system.
The Customs Department had held three auction sales, including one for the sale of consignments of gold and silver bringing in revenue of €51,000.
Dr Azzopardi said that the Bill, which was technical in nature, aimed at implementing the EU 2008 directive on excise duty general arrangements, included the computerisation of the system which better monitored the movement of products and established uniformity across all member states. The system, which had been applied by the Customs Department since last April, was an effective tool in combating tax evasion on products subject to excise duty.
Customs personnel effectively continued to fight abuse, ensure revenue and compliance with Maltese legislation and EU directives and protect Malta’s economic and commercial interests.