Durban business fined R500 000 for exporting waste paper without a permit

The Durban Magistrate’s Court has sentenced waste paper business Haashim’s Agency (Pty) Ltd to a fine of R500 000 or five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years with conditions.

The company had pleaded guilty to the export of waste paper without obtaining an export permit which is in contravention of the International Trade Administration Act.

In November last year, the Chatsworth-based company arranged for 39 containers filled with waste scrap paper to be delivered to the South African Customs Depot in Durban, for export to India.

The court heard that the company registered the cargo under an incorrect tariff code to avoid applying for the permit.

NPA’s Natasha Ramkisson-Kara explains the conditions of the sentence.

“The conditions of the sentence are that: The company pays a fine of R200 000, or in default undergo five years imprisonment. R100 000 of this fine must be paid by 15 January 2022, the remaining R100 000 must be paid in five consecutive monthly installments of R20 000 each, commencing on 03 February 2022, with the final payment made on or before 03 June 2022.”