Customs Seizes Over 5.2 Tons of Smuggled Frozen Meat from China
Thai customs seized over 5 tons of undeclared frozen meat from China at Chiang Saen checkpoint in Chiang Rai, with the importer lacking required licenses and facing charges for tariff evasion.
Chiang Saen customs checkpoint in Chiang Rai, led by Chawlit Phutphisut, the checkpoint chief, seized 13 shipments of frozen meat totaling approximately 5,200 kilograms and transferred them to the Chiang Rai animal quarantine station. On August 3, customs officers inspecting imports from China discovered undeclared goods including frozen pork, frozen chicken, frozen offal, and other fresh items. The frozen meat weighed about 5,200 kilograms, while other fresh goods weighed approximately 5,614 kilograms, with a combined value of around 507,608 baht. The shipment violates Section 243 on tariff evasion and Section 244 on circumventing import restrictions or prohibitions, as the importer lacked proper licenses. Chawlit said the company, based in Samut Prakan, has been charged. He noted this is the first instance of such concealed frozen meat smuggling in the area, which typically only sees misclassified vegetable declarations. Customs has vowed to strengthen screening procedures.
