BOC, DTI probe release of plywood, ceramic tiles without clearance

0
698

ID-10042517More than half of ceramic tiles and plywood imported in July may have been released from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) without the required clearances from the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

In a joint statement, the BOC and DTI said investigations are ongoing to establish the precise volume involved, “but there is sufficient evidence that the amounts already released are substantial.”

Initial investigation showed that of the 66,493 tons of tiles imported last July, about 26,226 tons, or 39% of the total, were released without BPS clearance, while 14,704 tons, or 22%, were cleared for release or may have already been released without BPS clearance.

Another 22,818 tons, or 34% of the total, were released or cleared for release, but BPS is still verifying whether clearances were issued.

Of the 31,077 tons of plywood imports in July, 7,566 tons, or 24% of the total, were released without BPS clearance, while 13,843 tons, or 45% of the total, were cleared for release or may have already been released without such clearance.

About 27% of the plywood imports, or 8,271 tons, were released or cleared for release, but BPS is still verifying if clearances were issued.

“To ensure the safety of Filipino consumers and prevent the repeat of such occurrences, measures will be put in place to monitor (more closely) compliance by importers as well as Customs examiners and appraisers of all import permit and clearance requirements,” the two government bodies said.

These measures will include regular sharing of data on regulated imports with import-regulating agencies such as BPS to verify whether they issued permits on Customs-cleared shipments; investigations and sanctions on Customs employees who clear the import of regulated products without import permits, and legal action against importers who bring in products without the required import permits.

Others include product recall and appropriate legal action by DTI against subject importers, and information and educational campaigns on the Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Mark Schemes for all stakeholders.

Most building and construction materials sold in the market, such as steel pipes and bars, cement, ceramic tiles, equal-leg angle bars, flat glass, plywood, rerolled steel bars, and sanitary wares, should undergo the BPS Product Certification Scheme for product safety and reliability.

Furthermore, all manufacturers and importers of products mandated for certification must apply for ICC or PS license, and subject their products to tests based on applicable Philippine National Standards at the BPS Testing Center or any DTI-accredited laboratory prior to their distribution and sale.

The BOC and DTI warn the public to be vigilant when buying ceramic tiles and plywood, and to look for the PS Quality or Safety Certification Mark licenses issued to manufacturers, or ICCs issued to importers.

The public should also check the packaging or product for an authentic PS mark or ICC sticker, BOC added.

Image courtesy of Teeratas at FreeDigitalPhotos.net