UIO Officials Seize Tobacco, Textiles, Mobile Phones at Several Locations

(Patria) - Authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority, Regional Center Tuzla, Sarajevo, and Banja Luka, in several separate operations at several locations, seized a larger quantity of aroma for hookahs, cut tobacco, textiles, and mobile phones worth approximately 127,000 BAM.

Authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority, Group for Prevention of Smuggling and Offences RC Tuzla, Sarajevo, and Banja Luka, conducted several operational activities to prevent smuggling and illegal trade of excise goods and goods of foreign origin in the area of regional centers Tuzla, Banja Luka, and Sarajevo, which resulted in the seizure of large quantities of various types of goods.

An operational check of the application of the Law on Excise Duties in Bosnia and Herzegovina was carried out in the area of the municipality of Ključ, during which a larger quantity of excise goods intended for illegal sale was found and temporarily seized at several locations. This included 63 hookahs and 103 packages/pieces of aroma for hookahs, with an estimated value of approx. 25,000 BAM, which were not properly marked with UIO excise stamps.

During a detailed inspection of a van at the Orašje Border Crossing, undeclared goods (textiles - 257 pieces of jackets, coats, dresses, etc.) were found and temporarily seized from an individual who intended to pass through customs procedures without paying import duties.

Also, at the Bijeljina Customs Post, a detailed inspection of a truck was carried out. The shipment declared as PVC material (granules and cups) contained hidden and smuggled goods that were found and temporarily seized - 16 iPhones. The total value of the temporarily seized goods in the aforementioned two cases amounts to approx. 50,000 BAM.

Acting on an anonymous report received via the open line of the UIO Operations Center, a sales and storage space owned by an individual from Sarajevo was located and inspected in the area of the city of Sarajevo. During this, 272.5 kilograms of finely cut tobacco were found and temporarily seized, with a market value of approx. 52,000 BAM, which was not marked with UIO excise stamps and for which the owner did not possess documentation of origin/procurement.

Legal measures and actions prescribed by law will be taken against the perpetrators of the described irregularities within the misdemeanor or criminal proceedings.

During the implementation of measures within their jurisdiction, authorized UIO officials used specialized equipment donated by the US Embassy in BiH, through the EXBS Program, as well as by UNDP/UNODC.

The Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH invites all citizens to report any form of customs or VAT evasion, or illegal sale of excise products, on the open line 080 02 06 07. All calls are free and completely anonymous. Citizens can also send photos and locations of illegal cigarette and tobacco sales to the Viber number 065 355 155.