Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña inspected on Aug 15 five alerted containers that arrived at the Port of Manila (POM) for possible misdeclaration.
The shipment from China was tagged red under the E2M (electronic-to-mobile) Selectivity System and subjected to mandatory non-intrusive x-ray examination.
POM district collector Erastus Sandino Austria issued the alert order because the x-ray image showed items that appear different from what was declared in the import entry.
Upon examination of the five containers, customs authorities found two magnetic lifters in one of the containers similar to what was earlier found at the Manila International Container Port.
POM records showed the shipment was consigned to Wan Chiong Steel Corp. of Quezon Road, San Isidro, San Simon Pampanga and was shipped by Xiamen TopSun Trade Co. Ltd.
The goods arrived on August 8 at the Manila South Harbor and were declared in the import entry as industrial overhead cranes.
Customs authorities are still determining the value of the intercepted equipment.
A warrant of seizure and detention will be issued against the subject goods for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration, Misclassification, Undervaluation in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
“All cargoes with discrepancy in the x-ray image and with derogatory information must be thoroughly checked to prevent any incidents of smuggling. I have ordered all ports to exercise extra vigilance over all coasts and seas to prevent the entry of smuggled and contraband goods from entering the Philippine borders. These smugglers are getting bolder and using more sophisticated methods, and we must exert extra effort to stop them,” Lapeña said.
Last week, he ordered the immediate examination of some 4,000 abandoned and overstaying cargoes at the POM and the Manila International Container Port to check for traces of contraband and smuggled goods.
