Peru

Peru - Unmanifested Cargo Presumed Smuggled

Peruvian Customs Regulations state that upon arrival at Peruvian ports a vessel must have on board a cargo manifest relating to all the cargo that is on board, including cargo in transit. Cargo for which there is no manifest will be seized by Customs upon arrival and discharged from the vessel, even where cargo manifests are subsequently presented.

There is a presumption according to Peruvian Law that cargo without a manifest is smuggled. At present, there is an aggressive anti-smuggling campaign promoted by the Peruvian Government. Accordingly, the Customs Authorities are currently pursuing a strict enforcement regime.

In recent months the Customs Authorities have confiscated from different shipping lines various containers in transit in Callao due to the fact that the Master did not have manifests for the cargo when the vessel arrived in Callao.

The latest case of seizure involves 438 containers in transit that arrived at Callao without a manifest. All 438 containers were seized by Customs and the vessel has been detained in the port with the 438 containers on board despite the fact that the documents relating to the containers were subsequently presented.

It is therefore recommended that Members with vessels calling at Peruvian Ports ensure that the Master is in possession of manifests relating to all cargo on board, including cargo in transit, on arrival in Peru.

With thanks to Interlog Servicios S.A.C for providing this information.