Kota Kinabalu: Consumers can expect chicken parts to cost more now that the Customs Department has, with effect from this month, decided to slap taxes on wholesalers importing chicken parts into the State. Chicken part importers (with quota) now have to pay 20 per cent taxes on the value of their import items and non-quota importers 10 per cent more in a new directive from the Sabah Customs that commenced on April 1.
Its Director, Datuk Md Yusop Mansor, said the department decided to issue a statement over the matter since many importers have been calling him and arguing that the move would inevitably raise the price of chicken parts, including chicken wings.
"The move is mainly to protect the local poultry farming industry," he explained at his office, Tuesday.
Nevertheless, he said non-quota importers could request from the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry (Dovsai) for the quota status so that they pay lesser taxes.
Because of the new taxes, some importers who were caught unaware could not bring their chicken part-laden containers out from the port before paying the taxes.
Previously, the importers did not have to pay a single sen on taxes for chicken parts.
On other developments, he said Sabah Customs would be going after owners of parabolic dishes in the city who do not have a permit from the Multimedia Department if they don't take them down within two weeks.
According to him, they have identified about 100 houses that have outdoor parabolic dishes.
Under the Customs Second Schedule (Prohibition of Imports) Order 1988, importation of parabolic dishes is prohibited unless the importer has acquired the import licence.
"Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967 clearly states that whoever is in possession of uncustomed goods and found guilty is liable for punishment," he said.
For the first offence, the penalty is a fine not less than 10 times the amount of customs duty and not more than 20 times the amount of customs duty or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.
Md Yusop said they have taken many photos of houses that have the parabolic dishes.
"I urge those without the permit to take them down voluntarily within two weeks and failure to do so will see us removing them from these premises," he said.
He said those who intend to use parabolic dishes could apply from Sirim for the import licence and the licence to use it from the Multimedia Department.
