Customs Foil Smuggling Attempt at North Umm Qasr Port
Electronic devices declared as clothing
Basra port customs foil smuggling attempt at North Umm Qasr Port
BASRA — The Directorate of North Umm Qasr Port announced the seizure of a 40-foot container outside the customs zone, which was initially declared to contain “new clothing.” Upon inspection, however, officials discovered it was hiding undeclared goods, including “1,600 surveillance cameras, 400 video recording devices, and 8,064 bandages.”
According to the directorate, the items were intended for smuggling and had been concealed behind the declared goods.
The seized materials were transferred to the North Umm Qasr Port Police Station and will be presented to the investigating judge.
Smuggling occurs as individuals attempt to evade customs fees, bypass import restrictions, or transport high-value goods illegally. By misdeclaring items as low-risk cargo, like clothing, smugglers aim to reduce costs and avoid detection. High demand for certain goods, such as surveillance equipment or medical supplies, further drives these activities.
To combat corruption and improve efficiency, the Iraq Customs Authority introduced the ASYCUDA system, designed to expedite container processing and streamline trade by reducing delays at border crossings. As a result, Iraq’s customs revenue surged to 2.131 trillion dinars (approximately $1.41 billion) in 2024, marking a 106% increase from 1.03 trillion dinars ($684.6 million) in 2023.