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The Bureau of Customs seized a parcel from the US containing 4.98kg of extracted shark teeth and misdeclared as plastic components for fashion accessories at the subport of Mactan, Cebu
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The parcel was consigned to a certain Josefina Capistrano
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BOC issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment, which will be disposed of in accordance with existing customs laws and regulations
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized a parcel from the US containing 4.98 kilograms of extracted shark teeth and misdeclared as plastic components for fashion accessories at the subport of Mactan, Cebu.
The parcel, which was consigned to a certain Josefina Capistrano, was subjected to physical examination after its suspicious x-ray image results, BOC said in a statement.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed the contents of the parcel were shark teeth and not plastic components as declared. No import permit from BFAR was issued for the shipment, according to records.
After finding probable cause for violation of Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) in relation to Sections 117 (Regulated Importation and Exportation) and 1400 (Misdeclaration, Misclassification, Undervaluation, in Goods Declaration) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), BOC-Cebu acting district collector Charlito Martin Mendoza immediately issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment.
“The Subport ensures that regulated goods are released only when covered with proper permits and clearances. The importer in this case did not secure a permit from the BFAR prior to the importation and intentionally misdeclared the goods to get away with it. We remind our importers and their representatives to properly declare their goods, and secure the necessary permits and clearances, to prevent seizures,” BOC-Mactan port collector Gerardo Campo said.
The seized articles will be disposed of in accordance with existing customs laws and regulations after undergoing seizure and forfeiture proceedings.
