Shanghai Customs recently successfully investigated the case of suspected illegal imports containing toxic chemicals, the enterprise involved in the case is Fintech Spice (Zhang Huang) Limited. The company in the period from September 30, 2021 to May 19, 2023, through the general trade method to the customs declaration imported spice products named Big Flower Jasmine Oil and Orange Flower Oil, a total of 20 votes, weighing up to 22.7 kilograms, worth of USD 93648.95.

Customs inspection found that these spices actually contain benzodiazepines, a substance included in Chinas toxic chemicals. According to the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Health Commission and other publications on the inclusion of six substances such as benzodiazepines in the toxic chemicals management, benzodiazepines were classified as third-class toxic chemicals. Although the use of these chemicals is legal in specific circumstances, the company failed to submit the required two-purpose goods and technology import licenses at the time of import declaration, violating relevant regulations.

Customs carried out a thorough inspection of the imported goods of Fintech Spice (ZhangHong) Limited, confirmed that all the goods involved contained benzoethanol. According to the Customs Administrative Punishment Implementation Regulations of the Peoples Republic of China and the Customs Administrative Punishment Resolution Baseline of the Peoples Republic of China (I), the General Department of Customs issued a decision to penalize the company with a fine of RMB 43000, while the goods in the case worth approximately RMB 850936.01 were seized.

The case not only highlights the strict measures of the Customs to combat illegal imports of toxic chemicals, but also reminds companies that they must strictly comply with import and export regulations. When importing any chemicals, those that may be used for sensitive substances, companies must understand and comply with all relevant laws and regulations in advance to ensure that all necessary licenses are complete.

In addition, by preventing sensitive substances that could be used for illegal activities from entering the domestic market, the Customs Department has effectively blocked the chain of potential illegal use and strengthened the security regulation of the domestic market.

In the future, the Customs Department will continue to strengthen its surveillance and inspection efforts and will strictly punish all and individuals who are suspected of violating the law in order to maintain the seriousness and fairness of the law. At the same time, the Customs Department will further improve its regulatory mechanisms and improve its detection technology to ensure that it can effectively identify and block all sensitive substances entering the country illegally.