Various goods with an estimated cost of P12.9 million were seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on the grounds of being misdeclared and lacking import permits.
According to Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, who inspected the shipments on January 8, the cargoes arrived at MICP on different occasions, received alerts and then were seized for misdeclaration and lack of import permits.
BOC, in a statement, said its agents uncovered P5.4 million worth of yellow onions and fresh potatoes inside three abandoned containers from China. The shipments, consigned to ZIDP Trading, arrived at the port on December 8, 2017. They were misdeclared as fresh apples and lacked the necessary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
A shipment from South Korea, declared as containing assorted apparel, yielded suspicious images after x-ray scanning, which prompted a physical examination by customs personnel. The shipment yielded used clothing and was seized for violating Republic Act (RA) No. 4653, which bans the importation of used clothing. The shipment was consigned to R.L. Son Trading and arrived at the port on November 29, 2017.
Customs agents also found P2 million worth of Chunghua soft cigarettes inside an overstaying cargo from South Korea that was consigned to Maxafrica Mfg. Pvt. Ltd and that arrived at the port on September 30, 2017. The consignee failed to present the corresponding permit from the National Tobacco Administration, which led to the seizure of the products.
A shipment consigned to Japare International Trading and declared as holding used compressors and water pumps was later discovered to contain used motorbikes reported to be worth P500,000. The misdeclared shipment came from Japan and arrived at the port on September 22, 2017.
Meanwhile, four containers of onions consigned to Kavin Shipping Ltd. were seized by BOC agents for lack of an import permit from the BPI. The shipments from China arrived at the port on September 15, 2017 and were estimated to be worth P4 million. The successful discovery stemmed from the strict examination of importation documents by customs personnel.
According to MICP district collector Atty. Ruby Claudia Alameda, all shipments will undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of pertinent provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
After forfeiture proceedings, the used motorbikes will be auctioned to the public to indemnify the government of the duties and taxes due on the shipment. Meanwhile, the seized cigarettes, onions, used clothing, and potatoes will be condemned as provided by the applicable provision in the CMTA.
Also on January 8, Lapeña witnessed a demonstration of the condemnation process for various seized fake products such as sandals, slippers, and shoes that were consigned to EMT Trading.
The total value of fake products subject to condemnation is estimated to be more than P4 million.
“This is a good way to start the year. How our bureau personnel conduct their jobs and the available technology we have, the x-rays—this is a good combination to safeguard our ports and our consumers and even legitimate traders from smuggled products. This year, the BOC will really give the smugglers their most difficult time,” Lapeña said.
