Zespri China

Zespri has confirmed its Chinese subsidiary will appeal a guilty verdict and fine handed down by a Shanghai Court last month, according to Radio New Zealand.

The Zespri Management Consulting Company (ZMCC) was fined more than US$950,000 for the under-declaration of customs duties between 2008 and 2010.

The court also ruled “illegal gains” from the crime should be repaid, meaning the company may have to pay reparations of close to US$10m.

Zespri said a ZMCC employee, convicted of the crime of smuggling general cargo and sentenced to five years imprisonment, would also be appealing.