SHAH ALAM, Dec 23 — The Selangor chapter of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle electronic waste (e-waste) worth more than RM3.06 million during a special operation dubbed Ops Demeter, at North Port, Port Klang, on October 8.
Its director, Mohamad Azhar Ahmad Paharazi, said inspections of 25 containers uncovered 556,800 kilogrammes of e-waste believed to have been imported without permits.
“The seized goods are valued at an estimated RM2.784 million, with duties and taxes amounting to RM278,400,” he said in a statement today.
He said the syndicate had falsely declared the shipment as “ABS plastic” in the manifest to evade detection by customs authorities.
Mohamad Azhar said the containers were previously inspected by Johor JKDM enforcement officers together with the Johor Department of Environment (DOE) in early June 2025, and were ordered to be returned to their country of origin.
However, the containers were transited through a neighbouring country and shipped back to Port Klang on August 25 by a shipping agent.
Mohamad Azhar said e-waste imports require approval from the director-general of environment under Item 54, Part I, Third Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023.
E-waste is classified as waste requiring special consideration under the Basel Convention. Importers must obtain written approval from the Department of Environment to import scheduled waste under code SW110.
The case is being investigated under Sections 135(1)(a) and 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.
