ONUS ON IMPORTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 7

ONUS ON IMPORTERS.

Care in Making Customs Declarations. AUCKLAND PROSECUTION. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, April 17. “ The onus lies on importers to be ! particularly careful in making declara- ; tions under the Customs Act," said Mr V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, in the Police Court, when Joseph Yock, importer, was charged on, summons with making an erroneous or defective entry under the Customs Act in respect oi certain goods imported by the Rangitane on August 4. Mr Meredith said the goods concerned were unfinished tennis racquet frames that were made in England by a firm which was more or less in partnership with defendant's firm. There was, therefore, not the usual selling invoice. An agreement had been reached with the Customs Department over a previous shipment to declare on the selling price, less certain discounts and costs. Instead, the defendant Yock had declared on the factory price, plus 5 per cent. The amount of duty involved in the present case was not great. Mr Barraclough, appearing for defendant, said there was no market in England by which to estimate the price or value. Defendant had been unaware of the arrangement made between the Customs Department and a junior partner in the firm, and in the absence of the junior partner defendant had made the declaration of factory, plus 5 per cent, in good faith. The case had arisen through a pure misapprehension on defendant's part and there was no suggestion of fraud. He suggested that it was case in which the minimum penalty only should be imposed. “ I think that is so,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in fining defendant £25, the minimum penalty.