Recently, shipping accidents have occurred frequently, with multiple ship fires reported. Customs has also repeatedly circulated cases of seizure of dangerous goods under reporting and concealed stowage. Many cargo owners and freight forwarders take chances, risking high risks for profit…

 A few days ago, Customs released another bulletin: Nansha Customs, under Guangzhou Customs, seized a large quantity of undeclared fireworks in a container, weighing about 15 tons. These fireworks were hidden in a common container, posing a huge safety hazard like a “time bomb” under high temperatures.

It is reported that when Customs officers inspected an export cargo declared as “carpets, webbing,” they found the entire container was filled with undeclared fireworks, weighing 15 tons.

Customs reminds: Fireworks are statutory inspection goods and belong to Class 1 dangerous goods listed in the List of Dangerous Goods. China has strict regulations on the transportation and storage of fireworks. Exporting fireworks through illegal means such as under reporting, false declaration, or concealed stowage poses safety hazards. Customs will severely crack down on illegal export of dangerous goods like fireworks.

Due to recent shipping accidents, major shipping companies have successively issued announcements reiterating the strengthening of cargo under reporting management, and will impose heavy penalties on those who under report dangerous goods. Recently, COSCO Shipping, OOCL, Wan Hai Lines, etc., have all issued relevant announcements. The highest penalty is from Wan Hai, with liquidated damages reaching up to $100,000.

On June 17, Sinolines also issued a “Notice to Customers on Reiterating Truthful Declaration of Dangerous Goods.”

On June 16, Jinjiang Shipping issued a “Notice on Enabling Cargo Name Verification Mechanism.” Customers must ensure the authenticity of declared information; if underreporting or misreporting causes transportation risks or accidents, relevant responsibilities shall be borne by the customer.

In recent years, lawbreakers have exported fireworks through false reporting, underreporting, hidden stowage, etc., for high profits, posing major risks. Once seized, involved enterprises not only face economic losses but may also bear corresponding criminal responsibilities according to law, implicating freight forwarders and customs brokers.

Just recently, a case of underreporting fireworks for export was reported, in which more than 40 persons involved in the entire chain of procurement, warehousing, transportation, loading/unloading, and export were arrested, 25 were transferred for prosecution, and 6 containers totaling over 200 tons of fireworks were verified. After the second instance judgment by the Ningbo Intermediate People’s Court, all 25 persons involved were sentenced, with the highest sentence being four years and seven months in prison.

Once again, remind that when shipping goods, truthful declaration is a must! Maritime, port, shipping companies, etc., at all ports are strictly inspecting dangerous goods under reporting and other related acts. Do not under-report or conceal! Forward and inform~