Company director fined $1.4m for importing duty-unpaid soju

SINGAPORE - A company director of So Fei International Trading Pte Ltd was sentenced to 18 months' jail and a fine of $1.4 million for importing duty-unpaid soju.

According to a statement on Friday (Jan 20) by Singapore Customs, 48-year-old David So evaded customs duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) amounting to $674,420.

The Singaporean pleaded guilty to four charges. Another 16 charges were taken into consideration in the sentencing.

Investigations revealed that from October 2013 to September 2015, So imported 118,000 bottles of soju from South Korea. He had "intentionally misled his declaring agent into making a wrong declaration," the statement said.

The soju was indicated as non-alcoholic rice beverage in the import declarations submitted to Singapore Customs, in order to evade payment of duty and GST.

Ms Fauziah Sani, head of Trade Investigation branch of Singapore Customs, said: "Singapore Customs will continue to conduct checks on suspicious traders and take firm action against those who attempt to evade duty and GST on liquor products."

Under the Customs Act, any person who is guilty of importing dutiable goods with the intention to defraud the Government will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to 20 times the amount of duty and GST evaded.

Members of the public with information on smuggling activities or evasion of customs duty or GST can call the Singapore Customs hotline on 1800-2330000.

stephluo@sph.com.sg