Customs department officials in the port city of Hai Phong said they were examining eight containers of giang huong, a rare timber, imported from Africa early this month.

Giang huong is precious timber under category 2A, which means special permission is required from authorised agencies to transport or trade the material. 

However, consignees, shown on the bills of lading for the containers, refused to receive the goods.

Giang huong is precious timber under category 2A, which means special permission is required from authorised agencies to transport or trade the material.

On September 20, Hai Phong customs found two containers with giang huong timber in them but the sender, to avoid seeking special permission, reported to customs that it was another kind of timber.

Ha Thi Tuyet Nga, director of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Management Authority, told Hai quan (Customs) newspaper that timber in category 2A would be confiscated if found imported without permission.

However, more information was needed to deliver proper sanctions. 

VNS