The owner of the Piseth phone shop in Tbong Khmum province's Memot district, has announced that customs officers have returned the stock that was confiscated on May 31. The seizures have led to discussions about the importance of tracking the tax and import duty status of all goods. Supplied
More than 1,000 mobile phones which customs officers seized from shops in Tbong Khmum province's Memot district have been returned to the vendors.
The release of the confiscated items followed a meeting between customs officials, phone importers and the shopkeepers.
The owner of one phone shop, Ratha Memot, posted a message to his “buy, sell repair” social media page last night, thanking the wholesalers for their help in the negotiations.
Two other stores, Nato, which sells phones and accessories of all kinds, and Piseth, a mobile phone shop, also announced the return of their stock and the resumption of normal sales.
On May 31, customs officials in Memot district collected 365 new and 955 used phones which it claimed lacked the correct documentation that proved import duties had been paid.
Kun Nhem, minister attached to the prime minister and director-general of the General department of Customs and Excise, could not be reached for comment this morning.
Local media outlet Fresh News reported that customs officials discussed and explained the required tax obligations to traders, and that the vendors proposed a reduction in fines. After discussions with the authorities, the proposal was accepted by customs officials, and the matter has now been resolved.
