A group of hauliers is calling on the authorities to take immediate action against a number of individuals, who they claim are acting as cargo clearance and forwarding agents without a proper licence.

The request was made in a judicial protest filed on Tuesday by the hauliers section within the Malta Chambers of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) against the Commissioner for Inland Revenue as legal representative responsible for the Customs Department.

In the protest, the hauliers pointed out that by law, “no person shall act as a cargo clearance and forwarding agent except under and in accordance with a customs permit granted in that behalf by the Comptroller”.

They are in blatant breach of the Cargo Clearance and Transport Act

The law also states that importers and exporters can only transport cargo from or to any customs shed, bonded store, warehouse, quay or other place of deposit through the services of a cargo clearance and forwarding agent duly authorised in that behalf, the protest read.

It is therefore clear that those being permitted to act as hauliers, without holding the necessary licence, are in blatant breach of the Cargo Clearance and Transport Act, the plaintiffs said.

While urging the Commissioner for Inland Revenue to intervene, the GRTU hauliers section warned that it would be holding the Customs Department responsible for any losses suffered by its members.

Lawyer George Hyzler and legal procurator Gerald Bonello signed the protest.