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The Bureau of Customs Intelligence Group seized 565 smuggled items with a combined value of P10.195 billion for the first half of 2021
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Counterfeit goods and tobacco were the top smuggled goods in terms of value, at P5.575 billion and P1.089 billion, respectively
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37 letters of authority issued during the period resulted in the closure of 3 facilities for violating various Customs laws
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The Account Management Office revoked and suspended a total of 562 accreditations in the first half of the year
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Intelligence Group (IG) seized 565 smuggled items with a combined estimated value of P10.195 billion for the first half of 2021.
The amount is almost equal to the P10.6 billion worth of seizures made for the full year of 2020, the agency said in a statement, even as it expressed optimism the value of seized goods will double by yearend.
Counterfeit goods and tobacco were the top smuggled goods during the period, valued at P5.575 billion and P1.089 billion, respectively.
Agricultural products worth an estimated P12 million were also seized by BOC-Manila International Container Port, while P10.5 million worth of medical supplies were confiscated by BOC-Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Thirty-seven letters of authority issued during the period also yielded positive results and resulted inthe closure of three facilities due to violation of various Customs laws.
Moreover, the Account Management Office, the unit under IG that is handling accreditation, reported a total of 562 revoked and suspended accreditations in the first half of the year. Of the total, 423 were importers’ accreditation while 139 were customs brokers’ accreditation.