Smuggled boxes of lotions and bundles of used clothing (ukay-ukay) seized by Customs
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Four different shipments loaded with misdeclared items were seized by operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Sasa Wharf, Davao City.
This was revealed by Davao City Customs District Collector Romalino Valdez on Friday, May 25, saying the shipments contained smuggled items such as onions, magic sugar, candies, mosquito coils and used clothing.
Two shipments were sent from China while the other two were shipped from Indonesia and the United States. All shipments were valued to a total of P50 million.
According to Valdez, the items in one container were declared as plastic plates under the consignee Janrev Enterprises. When opened, the van contained 401 boxes of Snow Bear candies; 869 boxes of mosquito coils; and about 6,300 sacks of apples and onions shipped by a company named Bizreal Trading International.
“Itong Snowbear candies na ito nang tiningnan ng mga (These Snowbear candies according to) examiners were made in Pasig City but the container came from China. So hindi natin alam bakit ganoon ang ikot nila (We don’t know why the arrangement was such). But still, it wasn’t declared. Ang mahirap dito hindi lang fake baka iba pa ang laman (The problem is: not only is it fake, it may even contain something else). We are requesting PDEA to have it examined,” said Valdez.
Meanwhile, other shipments sent by Mahmud Enterprises and Kobesean Trading contained misdeclared used clothing or “ukay-ukay,” 275 boxes of magic sugar and 115 boxes of lotions.
All containers passed and checked through x-ray machine at Davao International Container Terminal.
This recent seizure prompted the BOC to further intensify its monitoring of imported items especially agricultural products that are commonly being smuggled into the country.
“I will continue to be very strong in addressing itong (these) smuggling activities na ito. There’s so many losses in the revenue that is due to the government because of under-declaration or misdeclaration,” said Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.
Authorities are further investigating to identify the people behind the illegal shipments who will face multiple charges for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act (RA) 4653 which prohibits the commercial importation of textile articles such as used clothing and rags. — Marisol Montaño / Marje Pelayo
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