KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) today warned against the importation of goods without the relevant permit, concealing such goods and making false declarations in a bid avoid applicable taxes and fees.

JCA said importers caught in the act will face the full penalty for breaching the Customs Act.

The warning follows a recent incident in which an importer attempted to conceal a motor cycle without the requisite permit and for making a false declaration to the Customs Agency.

JCA reported that on September 30, the Fast Anti-Smuggling Team (FAST) of the Border Protection Unit was doing routine checks at the Port Handlers Warehouse at Freeport in Montego Bay, when four barrels, which an importer attempted to clear, were searched.

The barrels allegedly contained food, clothing and a disassembled motor cycle. The disassembled bike parts were removed from the barrels, and it was observed that all the parts combined would comprise a whole bike, JCA said.

The entire shipment was detained by the JCA and the importer informed of that he was in breach of the Customs Act.