What action should not be taken without Customs consent?

What action should not be taken without Customs consent?

• A. Offload goods
• B. Start the engine
• C. Tax the goods
• D. File a separate declaration

Answer: (A)

Moving goods off the vessel before Customs has given its clearance is something that must be avoided. Customs consent is needed to authorize the physical transfer of cargo from ship to shore so that the declared goods can be checked, duties and taxes assessed, and any required inspections completed. If goods are offloaded without this consent, it can hide unreported imports or misdeclarations, leading to penalties, seizure, or delays as authorities regain control and verify everything. Other actions like starting the engine, handling the tax process, or filing an additional declaration are activities that occur under established procedures and with the appropriate documentation, but they do not carry the same immediate risk as moving cargo off the vessel without authorization.