NCJ Number
86375
Date Published
1981
Length
232 pages
Annotation
Two studies on import and export crime in the Swedish economy investigated the various forms of these crimes and their extent. Because a comprehensive study of the incidence was not feasible, the research centered on crimes detected at customs points in Goteborg, Vesteras, and Stockholm involving goods being transported by boat, truck, and rail.
Abstract
The study of crime types resulted in a classification of 40 import and export crimes perpetrated in connection with commercial business. The crimes are classified in a table and also listed with descriptions, and examples. The second substudy of the incidence of import and export crimes indicated that among the most prevalent forms of import crimes were commercial smuggling wherein the true value of goods is underreported, an erroneous point of origin is reported, or statistics concerning the goods are falsified. Export crimes were most likely to involve underreporting the true value of the goods, erroneous statistics, and overreporting the true value of the goods. Several difficulties in conducting the study can affect the validity of results, however. The overreporting and underreporting of numbers of goods, particularly with imports, could indicate a failure on the part of the company representative to closely monitor the packing of goods or to understand the rules regarding declaring goods. Other problems are a bias in sampling and the probability that some crimes went undetected even though a search was conducted. Study data and the study instrument are provided. An appended paper discusses a pilot project to research the incidence of crimes within the jurisdiction of the customs authorities. It includes nine references and the text of the law on smuggling.