Cosmetics tops list in Myanmar’s first crackdown on illegal imports from China

Published on Monday, 25 February 2013 13:42

Border trade patrol agents seized more than US$350,000 worth of illegal imports from China last month, the first month they began seizing such goods, theMinistry of Commerce said.

About 95 percent of the seized goods were consumer products, mainly cosmetics, food and personal-care products, the ministry said.

The goods were seized on the highway between Muse town on the border with China in Shan State and Mandalay in central Myanmar.

The seizures are part of an effort by the illegal trade control committee to curb illegal imports and protect consumers. The committee was formed by the President’s Office late last year to monitor and curb illegal trade at every trading point: airports, seaports and border crossings.

It began by forming mobile teams to monitor the highway from Muse to Mandalay.

The mobile teams began issuing warnings last November and December to traders who did not have authorisation to import. Last month they began seizing goods.

The commerce minister chairs the committee and its vice-chairs are deputy ministers for commerce, home affairs, and finance and revenue. The committee said it was acting on growing public concern over a reported a surge in illegal trade that some have said has resulted in illegal imports exceeding legal ones.

Source : http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/2599-cosmetics-top-list-in-myanmar-s-first-crackdown-on-illegal-imports-from-china