Singapore - The Italian head of a liquor distribution company was charged in court with evading nearly 800,000 Singapore dollars (588,000 US dollars) in taxes and duties, news reports said on Friday.

Giorgio Ferrari, 39, the managing director of the firm bearing his name, was said to have told authorities that 65,000 bottles were bound for diplomatic missions, which are exempt from tariff under customs and tax laws.

The charges allege the alcohol ended up going to other customers in the city-state, The Straits Times said.

The offences allegedly took place between January 9 and October 23 last year.

Ferrari, represented by lawyers Shashi Nathan and Navin Lobo, was scheduled Thursday to appear in court on April 30. He is free on 200,000 Singapore dollars bail. His passport was impounded.

The Italian, a Singapore resident, started an import firm in 2000 specializing in labels from prestigious vineyards around the world, the report said. Some of its Italian wines include top vintages from Tuscany, such as Marchesi de Frescobaldi and Brunello Castelgiocon.

The company supplies alcohol to embassies, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and supermarkets. (dpa)