Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña showing the smuggled onions that were misdeclared as apples
MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs recently hauled eight containers of smuggled onions at the Manila International Container Port which were declared as apples to escape taxes and duties.
The shipment was consigned to ASD Total Package Enterprises Inc. which arrived on August 14, 2018, according to records.
“Itinatago nila sa kanilang mga warehouses o ibang mga unregistered warehouses at hino-hoard ito. That causes shortage of supply, and when there is shortage of supply the price goes up,” said BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.
Also, the BOC seized P3M-worth of smuggled cigarettes allegedly from China which do not bear graphic warnings. There was also no legal documents accompanying the shipment.
Lapeña said the smuggled items will be condemned.
“All items that are seized and forfeited if they are prohibited by law and by regulation, [will be condemned]. In the case of onion, [it] is prohibited by the Department of Agriculture. These will be destroyed,” he said.
The owner of the shipment will be charged in court along with the customs broker for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Mon Jocson)
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