Customs release of imported goods subject to repacking, relabeling and health certification upheld despite no stay.

The Tribunal's order had set aside confiscation and permitted imported goods to be repacked and relabelled in a customs bonded premises, with testing by Port Health Authorities before customs clearance. As no appeal or stay against that order was shown, the respondents were required to comply with it. The Court treated the Tribunal's safeguards as adequate to ensure conformity with local law and verification of fitness for human consumption. The respondents were therefore directed to implement the Tribunal's directions and release the goods within two weeks, subject to the prescribed conditions and any further lawful conditions, and only after the goods were certified fit for human consumption.

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Issues: Whether the respondents were bound to implement the Tribunal's order and release the imported goods, subject to the conditions imposed for repacking, relabeling, inspection and certification.

Analysis: The order of the Tribunal had set aside the confiscation order and permitted the goods to be repacked and relabeled in a customs bonded premises, with testing by the Port Health Authorities before customs clearance. The respondents were unable to show that the Tribunal's order had been challenged by way of appeal or stayed. The Court found that the Tribunal's directions contained sufficient safeguards to ensure compliance with local law and to verify that the goods were fit for human consumption before release.

Conclusion: The respondents were directed to implement the Tribunal's order and release the goods within two weeks, subject to the conditions already prescribed and any further lawful conditions, and only after the goods were found fit for human consumption.

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