BOC seizes P25-M ‘hot’ sugar, clothes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently confiscated some P25 million worth of smuggled used clothing and sugar at Manila International Container Port.

Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the Intelligence and Enforcement Group, led by BOC Deputy Commissioner Celso Templo, seized the shipments after they were found to be misdeclared.

Morales said the shipments of imported used clothing – a prohibited import product – were misdeclared as wearing apparel, carton outsoles, carton bags and gift items.

The shipments, which came from Hong Kong, were consigned to Low Cost Integrated Marketing and R.F. Crisostomo Trading.

The imported sugar, on the other hand, arrived in five container vans at MICP from Thailand last month. The P3-million shipment was consigned to Bagwa Trading.

Morales said all firms linked to the shipments will be placed under the agency’s blacklist for their involvement in the foiled smuggling. He added that criminal charges will also be filed against them for violation of the customs code.

“They committed technical smuggling because of misdeclaration of shipment,” said Morales as he warned those who are planning to skirt customs duties and taxes through illegal activities not to “make a wrong move. We will catch you.”

Templo said they found used clothing, used tires and sugar after they placed the 10 container vans under 100 percent x-ray scanning, contrary to the original declaration.

Customs personnel were put on double red alert status since last month as “undesirable items” are expected to arrive in the country for the holiday season.

The goods that were placed on the watchlist are plastic toys, used clothing, Christmas lights, meat and pharmaceutical products from “high-risk countries.”

Morales said all the goods from any country considered a threat to the safety and health of the public are being closely monitored.