The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized five shipments containing various misdeclared goods amounting to around P50 million in its Davao ports.
Among the seized items were rice, onions, magic sugar, candies, mosquito coils, and used clothing.
BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said two of the shipments were from China, one from Indonesia, one from United States and another from Vietnam.
The shipments from China arrived at Sasa Wharf on separate dates, while the three others arrived at Davao International Container Terminal in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
At Sasa Wharf, customs authorities intercepted the shipments of Janrev Enterprises and Bizreal Trading International.
In the case of Janrev, the shipment was declared to contain plastic plates. But when inspected, it found out to contain 401 cartons of Snow Bear candy and 869 cartons of mosquito coils.
In the imports of Bizreal, the shipment was declared to contain apples. However, it was mixed with 6,300 sacks of onion.
Seized at the DICT were shipments for Mahmud Enterprises and Kobesean Trading.
The goods were declared as bedsheets, shoes, pillowcases, stuffed toys, and bags.
However, the shipment contained undeclared bales of ukay-ukay, 275 boxes of magic sugar, and 115 boxes of lotion.
The seized ukay-ukay violated R.A. 4653, the act that prohibits the importation of used clothing and rags.
Also at DICT, the Customs seized “almost one container” of undeclared sacks of rice coming from Vietnam. The exact volume of smuggled rice was not immediately released.
Lapeña also the rice will be auctioned while the onions, apples, magic sugar will be destroyed.
District Collector Atty. Romalino Valdez said they are on alert on agricultural products arriving at the Davao ports as per Lapeña’s order.
“We are closely monitoring the imports of agricultural products to prevent the entry of smuggled products,” Valdez said.
The Office of the District Collector has issued warrants of seizure and detention (WSD) upon the recommendation of the X-ray Inspection Project, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, and Enforcement and Security Service for violating Sect. 1400 and Sect. 1300 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
