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Bureau of Customs-Legazpi and Philippine Coast Guard Sorsogon seized P410,000 worth of ukay-ukay (used clothing) goods in Matnog, Sorsogon
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The importation of such items violates Republic Act No. 4653 and some provisions of RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
A total of P410,000 worth of “ukay-ukay” goods (used clothing) was recently intercepted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Sorsogon on a private van in Matnog, Sorsogon, while in transit from Manila to Catarman, Northern Samar.
The 31 bales of used clothing and 10 bales of used shoes were turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Legazpi on December 6, 2022.
The BOC and PCG team recommended the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the goods and their conveyance for violation of Sections 118, 1113, and 1401 of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the BOC said in a statement.
The importation of such items violates Republic Act No. 4653 or “An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit the Commercial Importation of Textile Articles Commonly Known as Used Clothing and Rags.”
Acting BOC-Port of Legazpi District Collector Arthur Sevilla Jr. lauded the PCG-Sorsogon for their part in the joint operation.
In November 2021, BOC intercepted a wing van containing bundles of ukay-ukay worth an estimated P5.1 million at Matnog Port, Luzon’s jump-off port to Visayas and Mindanao. The used clothing was transported from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City, and was bound for Davao City.
The van and used clothing were subsequently hauled and turned over to the custody of BOC Port of Legazpi. The customs examiner that conducted an inventory of the items said there were 449 bundles of used clothing.
Also in March this year, one of the largest hauls of various goods and ukay-ukay items amounted to about P500 million in Valenzuela City.
