The Bureau of Customs-Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) on Aug 8 seized five shipments containing misdeclared agricultural products from China worth about P24 million.
The shipments arrived at MICP on separate dates last month and were issued corresponding alert orders after examinations conducted by BOC officers revealed discrepancies in their weight and declared value.
The shipments were declared as apples, oranges and pears but actually contained carrots, onions and potatoes. The seized carrots were estimated to be worth P15 million, the onions P4 million, and the potatoes, P5 million.
Ingredient Management Asia Inc was the consignee for four of the five shipments. The fifth was consigned to Mcrey International Trading.
BOC-MICP has heightened efforts against smuggling of agricultural products to fulfill part of its mandate to protect local farmers against unfair competition.
The seized goods will be condemned by BOC since these were not covered by phytosanitary permits from the Bureau of Plant Quarantine. Such permits are necessary to ensure agricultural products do not carry plant diseases and pests that can affect local agriculture.
The shipments violated Sections 1400, 1113 and 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, RA 3720 (Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act) and RA 10845 (Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016).
