Customs withholding vehicles imported directly from China

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More than 10 vehicles which were imported directly from China more than a month ago are being withheld by Customs.

Chief of Customs Iuliano Falaniko could not be reached for comment but according to information received from reliable sources, the vehicles have been under customs custody for almost a month and a half. Five local businesses owned by Chinese are said to have imported the vehicles.

According to our sources the reason why Customs is not releasing the vehicles is because they do not pass US safety and environmental standards and there’s also a discrepancy with their VIN numbers.

In May, Commissioner of Public Safety Taaga Saite Moliga wrote to the Governor expressing concern with vehicles being imported directly from China and Korea by Asian owned businesses that are not authorized care dealers. He urged that legislation be enacted to better govern the influx of foreign automobiles entering the territory.

He said some vehicles are imported for personal use then later used as rental cars or as delivery vehicles for businesses.

“I feel better consideration in issuing business licenses to some of these car rental businesses should be re-examined,” he urged the Governor.

KHJ News understands that Customs is seeking an opinon from the Attorney General’s Office on what action to take regarding the more than 10 vehicles currently impounded at the dock.