Customs seizes P25 million worth of smuggled vehicle parts

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs seized P25 million worth of used vehicle parts misdeclared by its importers at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said Wednesday the seized items include a completely knocked down Suzuki station wagon, jet ski, three units Honda motorcycles, Yamaha scooter and 36,000 pieces of bicycle tires and tire flaps.

Biazon said the misdeclared items were discovered during scanning conducted by the bureau's X-Ray Project officials.

During the media presentation Wednesday morning, Biazon said that importer Cimberly Enterprises declared the shipment as used mini-tractors, grass cutters, compressors, bicycles, motorbike parts and gasoline engines.

The shipment, which has a dutiable value of P3 million, arrived from Japan in October last year.

Meanwhile, Royal Halo Enterprises allegedly attempted to bring in 36,000 pieces of bicycle tires and tire flaps from China.

To avoid the 10% duties on tire importation, the P22 million shipment was misdeclared as bicycle pumps, pedals and chains

BOC X-Ray Project Head Lourdes Mangaoang warned smugglers not to take chances of trying to slip into the country illegally imported goods through misdeclaration.

"Our scanners are three times more powerful than the ones being used in the United States," she said. (FP/Sunnex)