Importer fined for violation of tariff code

CEBU, Philippines - A company engaged in the importation of mosquito coils was fined by the Department of Finance through the Bureau of Customs for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and the administrative order of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Customs district collector Ricardo Belmonte has ordered SC Johnson and Son Incorporated to pay P72,364 ad valorem to the government for violation of the Section 303 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines as amended in relation to DTI administrative order no. 01 series of 2008 that requires markings on all imported goods to identify its country of origin.

Last week, the Enforcement Security Service or the customs police held two containers consigned to SC Johnson and Son Incorporated after it found out that the shipment did not have markings as required under the law.

The shipment of 3,375 cartoons of Baygon mosquito coils placed inside one 20-footer container and another 10-footer van arrived at the Cebu International Port from Jakarta, Indonesia last August 27.

During the examination, customs examiner Gil Buzon and customs police Andie Catre found out that the shipment did not have markings of the manufacturing country, did not have markings of warranty from the manufacturer, no markings of weight content prior to packaging and no markings of consumer complaint desk address.

The customs examiner recommended that a five percent ad valorem will be imposed against the consignee for failure to comply with the requirements.

The recommendation was sustained by ESS district commander Jerry Arizabal and was eventually approved by the district collector.

After having paid the required fine, the shipment was released under guard by the customs personnel to ensure that the consignee will comply with the DTI memorandum.—Fred P. Languido/WAB (THE FREEMAN)