Sarawak Customs Foil Bid To Smuggle Japanese Luxury Sportscars

A Honda NSX (NA1) (left) and a Lexus RC300 F-Sport (right) were amongst the prized metal seized by customs officers in Sarawak earlier this month following a thwarted attempt at smuggling them into the state. (Image: Harian Metro)

Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) officers in Sarawak state recently foiled an attempt to smuggle in a pair of Japanese luxury sportscars. Amongst the metal seized here were a Lexus RC300 F-Sport and a Honda NSX (NA1).

Both cars were seized by customs officers earlier this month on Dec 5 at the Pending Port near the East Malaysia state’s capital of Kuching. The seizure was the result of a strategic collaboration between JKDM’s intelligence and enforcement units.

An undisclosed party had attempted to smuggle both cars into the state without legitimate customs  declarations. Collectively, both cars reportedly possess an estimated total collective value of RM354, 574.15.

According to Sarawak state's JKDM Director Norizan Yahya, both cars were held for closer inspection after officers detected discrepancies in their respective initial documents presented. Specifically, what rose suspicions were the mismatched chassis numbers stated in said documents.

Both cars are being held under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Customs Act of 1967. Norizan adds that the bid to smuggle in cars without legitimate customs declarations usually involve the use of legitimate vehicle registration numbers of existing vehicles as a way to confuse enforcers.

An example of the Lexus RC300 F-Sport as seized by Sarawak customs recently. Based on listings over at CariCarz.com, this sleek coupe can fetch retail prices as high as RM287,000.

Examples of the first-gen (NA1) Honda NSX that we sighted during the recent TAS KL 2024 show. This modern classic is now fast becoming a collector's car with prices starting from at least RM250,000 onwards.

Given the calibre of cars seized here, someone was indeed trying to dodge a hefty sum in taxes and duties. A quick check of the listings over at CariCarz.com reveals that the sleek Lexus coupe mentioned and seized by Sarawak customs can see retail prices fetch as high as RM287,000 – depending on model year and condition.

As for the Honda NSX seized alongside it, which happens to be a first-generation NA1 model, its status as a modern classic sees said iconic midship sports coupe double up as a highly sought after collector’s car where prices start from at least RM250,000 onwards.