The Division of Customs Services was able to confiscate at the airport 372 cartoons of numerous cigarettes, 100 pounds of tobacco and 50 packs of cigarettes during a six-month period, according to Customs Lt. John T. Santos.
Hundred of boxes of cigarettes and tobacco products were also destroyed six months ago, Customs Officer Anthony Camacho said.
Santos said these cigarettes were taken from arriving passengers — tourists and guest workers alike, who failed to meet the labeling standards.
The Custom declaration states that arriving passengers are allowed to carry tobacco, other than cigarettes, not exceeding one pound, and an amount of cigarettes, not to exceed three cartoons of 10 packages per canton.
They can also bring in 10 packs of label cigarettes not complying with the Cigarettes Labeling and Advertising Acts.
Santos said if a passenger possesses more than 10 packs of any one cigarette brand, he or she has to declare it to Customs.
Public Law 10-22, or the Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, “prohibits the importation of cigarettes that are not properly labeled in accordance with United States federal law and authorizes the Customs Service to confiscate and destroy any improperly labeled cigarettes it may find in the course of its inspections.”
Because many arriving passengers, including guest workers, continue to violate the law, Santos said these passengers’ countries of origin may have failed to advice their nationals about CNMI tobacco and cigarette importation regulations.
