Timor-Leste Ministry of Finance

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When Goods Can Be Seized

Goods with Passengers

When a Customs Officer finds goods or merchandise which is prohibited to import, such as weapons or quarantine-restricted items, they will seize the items in accordance with article 49 of Decree Law 11/2004  and, if deemed necessary, detain the passenger.

Customs may also seize goods or detain a passenger when a person:

• tries to enter Timor-Leste  without submitting to Customs control
• does not make a declaration or makes a false declaration 
• passes through the Green Channel carrying goods that should have been declared to Customs, or
• carries:
  - objects indented for sale or any commercial or industrial activity
  - more than 2.5 litres of alcoholic beverages, with a volume more than 22% or 5 litres of alcoholic beverages, or
  - more than 200 stick of cigarettes or 200 grams of tobacco.

Cargo

Customs Officers will seize any undeclared goods or prohibited goods they find which are imported by cargo into Timor-Leste.

Motor Vehicles

If an importer or Customs Broker falsifies or provides false documents as part of the importation process of a motor vehicle, the vehicle will be seized by Customs and becomes the property of the State.