QCOSTARICA — More than 300 doses of expired influenza vaccines were detained by the Servicio Nacional de Aduanas (Customs), in a shipment from the United States, which would be sold in a chain of outlet stores.
The container, which included other items such as appliances, was in a customs warehouse located within the jurisdiction of Caldera Customs, in Punaterans.
The products were found during the physical inspection of the container, carried out as part of the control actions against outlet-type importers.
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“In total, there were 320 doses of vaccines with an expiration date of June 2022, which, in addition to not being declared to customs, did not provide the necessary documents and permits for their importation, so we immediately coordinated with the Ministry of Health for confiscation. Regarding household appliances, we are assessing the merchandise that was not declared, to determine the appropriate administrative or judicial actions. Based on these findings, we will carry out investigations throughout the logistics chain, to establish the corresponding responsibilities,” reported Cristian Montiel, deputy director general of Customs.
Montiel explained that the international transportation of biological and pharmacological products is carried out under strict guidelines, to guarantee adequate packaging, labeling, temperature, and handling; aspects that were totally breached in this case.
Montiel added that customs officers will continue with the reviews of the entry of containers into the country and their unloading in tax warehouses (depósitos fiscales in Spanish), at the time of submitting customs declarations.
Inter-institutional cooperation will be strengthened with the Ministries of Health, and the Economy, Industry and Commerce, as well as with the Fiscal Control Police and the General Directorate of Taxation.
As of January 30, customs carried out 64 inspections and seized 877 packages with more than 38 tons of merchandise entered into the country that was not declared or did not have permits for import. The seized merchandise was destined for sale in outlet stores.
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