The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized 825 sets of used smart phones, lithium batteries and phone accessories that were illegally shipped to the Philippines through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
BOC-NAIA said the items, estimated to have a total value of P15 million, were contained in two shipments from South Korea and were registered to the same consignee.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said it does not issue permits for the importation of used cell phones and accessories unless these items are intended for personal use or as gifts to relatives.
NTC emphasized that used cell phones and accessories should not be for commercial use or imported in large quantities as this will adversely affect the interest of legitimate manufacturers. NTC also cautioned the public on the safety and security risks that used items can cause.
“We laud the Bureau of Customs, headed by District Collector Carmelita Talusan, for helping keep the Philippines free of possibly counterfeit products that did not seek proper importation permits and sufficient quality control. We ask the public to remain vigilant when purchasing Samsung devices,” Samsung Philippines Corp. public relations head Marlene Cinco, who also encouraged the public to buy only from authorized dealers, said in a statement.
