2 S'porean men, both 41, fined over S$20,000 in total for tax evasion on branded goods

Two Singaporean men attempted to avoid paying Goods and Services Tax (GST) on luxury goods that they bought in France by walking through the Green Channel at the airport.

Eugene Wey and Song Qingguang Daniel, both 41, caught when an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer approached Wey, according to a press release from the Singapore Customs.

Wey eventually pleaded guilty to one charge of fraudulent evasion of GST amounting to about S$1,788 on branded goods valued at around S$25,548.

Meanwhile, Song pleaded guilty to one charge of causing an incorrect declaration that led to a GST shortfall of about S$368 on branded goods valued at around S$5,858.

Another similar charge was taken into consideration during the sentencing for Song.

Reselling branded goods

Investigations later revealed that Wey and Song had travelled to France in late February 2022 to source and purchase branded goods for customers of Eplayground SG, a company that Song had invested in.

Eplayground’s business involved selling branded goods from Europe, with Song leading a team to visit boutiques and luxury goods outlets in Paris to purchase branded goods on behalf of the customers.

Wey had also purchased branded goods for his relatives and friends.

Caught at customs

On Mar. 8, 2022, despite knowing that the goods were subject to GST and must be declared, Wey decided to exit via the Green Channel to avoid doing so.

An Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer then did a further check on him, asking if he had anything in his luggage to declare.

Wey replied that he did not.

However, upon inspection, 24 pieces of branded goods were found in his luggage, according to Singapore Customs.

More found at business office

The next day, custom officers conducted checks at Eplayground’s office and found a parcel shipped via air freight from France.

The description of the contents and the values stated on the air waybill did not match the actual contents and values, Singapore Customs said.

The goods were seized and investigations revealed that the goods were shipped to Singapore by Song during the trip.

As Song failed to provide the correct import value, it led to the freight company incorrectly declaring the import value in the import declaration and leading to a GST shortfall of about S$368.

Wey and Song were convicted on Apr. 14 at the States Courts and were fined S$18,500 and S$2,000 respectively.

The goods which had been seized for investigation were ordered to be forfeited.

Members of public with information on smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST can report it to customs at https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence.

Top photos from Singapore Customs