The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Manila International Container Port (MICP) recently inspected overstaying cargoes at the Ocean-Link Container Terminal in Manila as part of the collection district’s aim to decongest customs facilities under its jurisdiction.
About 40 less-than-container-load shipments of various items overstaying at the facility were inspected on September 5 by BOC-MICP’s Auction and Cargo Disposal Division and Piers Inspection Division.
Cargoes deemed abandoned will be processed for disposition, either through condemnation or destruction.
BOC-MICP district collector Romeo Allan Rosales said his collection district will continue to implement measures to decongest facilities to maintain adequate space for cargoes.
BOC earlier said it disposed of 1,588 overstaying and abandoned containers from various ports from January to June 5 this year.
READ: BOC nets P19M from disposal of overstaying containers
Under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 10-2020, cargoes overstaying for more than 30 days from the date of discharge and have not been withdrawn within the specified period of time will be tagged as abandoned, BOC noted.
CMO 10-2020 covers implementation of summary abandonment proceedings in all collection districts during the period of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). It implements Joint Administrative Order No. 20-01, which was signed on April 2 and adopts processes that expedite the release of refrigerated containers and dry cargoes from the ports during the ECQ.
Under Section 1141 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, goods for disposition may be donated, declared for official use by BOC, or sold at public auction. Goods suitable for shelter or consisting of foodstuff, clothing, or medicines may be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
