http://therealsingapore.com/content...rth-branded-bags-seized-woman-over-unpaid-gst
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF BRANDED BAGS SEIZED FROM WOMAN OVER UNPAID GST
Post date: 21 Dec 2014 - 8:07pm
Authorities from Changi Airport have confiscated over 10 boxes filled with branded bags and shoes after a woman was suspected to have brought them into Singapore without paying GST.
The 29 year old woman had come from Europe and arrived at about 6am on Saturday morning with her family.
Customs officers inspected their luggage then proceeded to follow the family back to their home in Bukit Timah.
At their home, the customs officers then unpacked their boxes which contained dozes of branded bags and shoes from brands such as Miu Miu, Chanel and LV.
10 customs officers were reported to be at their house from 7am and digging through their things to find more of such bags.
The branded bags are believed to have been brought into Singapore without paying GST.
The father of the family even called the police after the customs officers treated his daughter too rudely.
Zaobao reported that the daughter suffered from depression and Customs officers’ behaviour and rudeness to her had caused her to become unwell and in need of seeing a doctor.
The officers did not leave the house until about 2pm and they took with them 14 boxes of branded goods as well as a laptop computer and documents.
The woman is understood to have been selling branded bags on instagram.
The woman explained that the bags were all part of her personal collection and she would sell the bags and goods that she got sick of. She explained that it was simply a hobby of hers.
GST of 7% must be paid on all goods brought into Singapore worth over a total of $600 for trips over 48 hours. Goods must be for personal consumption and any commercial goods must have GST paid on them.
It is an offence under the customs act and the GST act to fail to declare items which must be paid for.
