KOCHI: The customs officials on Friday conducted checking operations at the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) and unloaded a total of 20 containers which did not have the clearance of the Kochi Customs.The containers which were brought here from Tuticorin were to be transported in an Egyptian vessel to various European countries. According to sources in the Customs, there were 60 containers which were stuffed from the freight station in Tuticorin and cleared by the Customs officials there. But the containers did not obtain the clearance of the Customs in Kochi.“We found that a total of 60 containers were brought to ICTT without clearance. Out of which 20 were loaded onto a ship. The authorities at the port did not check the clearance certificate before loading the containers” S A S Navas, Customs, deputy commissioner said. According to the Customs officials there are complaints that such incidents are common at ICTT. “There were many instances where containers were allowed without Customs seal or clearance. Chances are high that contraband articles can be shipped without any checking. The restrictions for Customs at the Special Economic Zone in Vallarpadam is cited as the reason for this illegal smuggling of goods,” Customs sources said.
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