Woman fined $32,000 for failing to declare taxable goods
A 42-year-old Singaporean was fined more than $32,000 yesterday, after she pleaded guilty to failing to declare taxable goods brought into the country.
Tammy Tien Mi had brought a total of 30 luxury goods worth over $469,890 when she returned to Singapore from France on Jan 27 this year, the Singapore Customs said in a statement.
Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had stopped her for checks and asked if she had anything to declare, to which she said no.
Tien's four luggage bags were then put through an X-ray scanner and images of several handbags were seen.
ICA officers referred her to Singapore Customs for further investigation, during which officers found the 30 items, which included handbags, shoes, coats, dresses and scarves.
The goods and services tax (GST) payable for the items, which were bought from various boutiques in France, amounted to $32,892.78.
GST for goods valued below $150 is not applicable for travellers who are out of Singapore for less than 48 hours.
For those who are away for more than 48 hours, GST is exempt for goods valued up to $600.- THE STRAITS TIMES
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