Bureau of Customs seizes P54-million electronics, frozen chicken

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced yesterday it confiscated P54 million worth of misdeclared high-end electronics, frozen chicken and ceramic tiles and will put them up for auction to increase the agency’s revenue collection.

BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the items would be secure in their warehouses.

Records show that the three shipments arrived at the Manila International Container Port and Port of Manila on three different occasions.

Based on inventory, the electronic gadgets were worth P30 million. They came from Singapore and were consigned to Quick Flo Trading as television accessories. Quick Flo paid only P18,739 in Customs duties and taxes.

The BOC said the 40-footer shipping container held plasma and LCD televisions, cameras, portable play stations, computer processors, and integrated telephone systems, among others, valued at P30 million.

Quick Flo was also the consignee for the P6 million worth of tiles that were misdeclared to be bathroom fixtures, which has a lower tax rate. The shipment came from Hong Kong.

The P18-million shipment of frozen chicken leg quarters had been misdeclared as sliced potatoes and consigned to Regency Marketing Corp. It came from the United States.

Morales has placed the BOC’s entire x-ray and scanning unit under investigation.

“Whether the shipments passed or did not pass the x-ray and scanning unit, either way, they are liable as it is their job to ensure that what is inside the container corresponds to the entries filed,” said Eric Albano, chief of the BOC’s Intelligence and Investigation Service. Albano said his men intercepted the shipments while they were on the way out of the pier.

The deputy commissioner for enforcement group, Jairus Paguntalan, also recommended the immediate relief of the BOC personnel involved in the release of the shipments.

Morales gave spot commendations to Albano; his deputy, Mitchell Verdeflor; and 14 of Albano’s men for the seizure of the misdeclared goods.     – Evelyn Macairan