Customs department to double down on smuggling — chief

AMMAN — The first seizure of 2020 by the anti-smuggling department was a “highly flammable tank" reportedly carrying clothes, shoes and car accessories on Wednesday, according to the Jordan Customs Department (JCD).

JCD Director General Maj. Gen. Abdul Majeed Rahmaneh, in his first visit to the anti-smuggling department, was briefed on the department’s operations since the beginning of 2020, according to a JCD statement. 

Rahmaneh said that this year will witness a rise in customs revenue compared with 2019 and 2018.

The custom’s chief added that the 2020 strategy will witness a “qualitative shift” in combatting smuggling, according to the statement. 

He pointed out that JCD took several measures in 2019 to curb smuggling at border crossings.

He added that 2019 also saw tightening control on contraband in markets to protect citizens and the national economy, Petra reported. 

Rahmaneh noted that the amendments made last year to the Customs Law contributed to curbing smuggling, especially regarding the immediate arrest of smugglers and their referral to the JCD Prosecutor General, before financial settlements.

Rahmaneh noted that fines for confiscated goods should now be increased to three times their current value, in addition to the closure of shops that frequently sell smuggled goods, the statement said.

He continued that the high price of cigarettes in the Kingdom is a result of the crackdown on smugglers, adding that the seizure of tobacco has decreased significantly since the middle of last year.

Rahamneh pointed to the improvement of customs revenues from cars, and expects that this improvement will increase during 2020, due to the recent governmental decisions regarding customs and fees imposed on vehicles.