BOC intercepts P791 million smuggled cigarettes

MANILA, Philippines — Customs officers recently intercepted smuggled cigarettes from Singapore valued at P791 million.

“We have strict tobacco importation laws to protect our citizens from unnecessary harm by illegally traded and imported cigarette products. As an answer to the President’s directive, we will continue working to get to the bottom of this problem and stop the dangers these bring,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement.

The shipment, reportedly consigned to Burias Jang Consumer Goods Trading, contained cigarettes and other misdeclared items, based on information received by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the Manila International Container Port.

After examining the shipment yesterday, a Customs examiner recommended the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention.

Three shipping containers were each filled with around 1,756 master cases of different cigarette brands.

Of the 5,268 total master cases, 4,215 were assorted cigarettes while 1,053 were heat sticks.

The BOC said the shipment’s consignee may face charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law and the National Tobacco Administration’s regulations governing the exportation and importation of tobacco products.