EU intercepts smuggled fresh Chinese garlic

A truckload of Chinese garlic has been seized while crossing from Norway to Sweden, the European Union anti-fraud authority said Wednesday.

The unidentified truck driver was detained and 28 tons of garlic were seized on June 18, according to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

Imports of fresh Chinese garlic to the European Union are subject to a 9.6-percent ad valorem duty and, a specific amount of 1,200 euros (1,510 U.S. dollars) per ton.

The specific amount is not applicable to imports within the current annual quota of 58,870 tons worldwide, of which the quota for China is 33,700 tons.

OLAF said illegal imports of fresh Chinese garlic have been an attractive business for smugglers because of the high production capacity and low production cost in China.

According to OLAF estimates, some 1,200 tons of fresh Chinese garlic with a value of 1.5 million euros (1.9 million U.S. dollars) in terms of customs' duties, have been brought into the EU via Norway by an international group of smugglers.

Source:Xinhua