Prohibited, unsafe items confiscated

PROHIBITED and unsafe electronic products have been seized and destroyed in Kokopo in a joint operation by PNG Customs, Independent Consumer and Competition Commission and PNG Power Ltd.
Power cords, power boards and mobile phone chargers that did not meet standard safety requirements were seized from three shops last week.
Customs Commissioner Ray Paul said the operation was conducted in the spirit of a memorandum of understanding between Customs and the ICCC to protect the people from dangerous and prohibited goods.
Paul said Customs was looking at forging a similar arrangement with PPL.
“While we encourage trade and investment and stand to facilitate them, we can only do so in respect of those imports that comply with our laws and regulations,” he said.
“People and businesses that engage in the importation and sale of dangerous prohibited (substandard) goods in sheer ignorance of our laws and regulations must immediately refrain from such activities.”
Meanwhile, PNG Customs signed another memorandum of understanding last week in Port Moresby with the National Information and Communications Technology Authority to monitor and prevent the importation of unapproved ICT equipment into the country.
It means PNG Customs has been given more power to seize goods which do not meet safety requirements and prevent their importation into the country.