Thursday, October 09, 2008 Customs begins monitoring Christmas goods
WITH only two months before the Christmas season, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has started monitoring eight types of goods that are expected to arrive during these months.
Jairus Paguntalan, director of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), ordered agents from Luzon to Mindanao to keep an eye on products such as Christmas lights, pyrotechnics, firecrackers, toys, poultry products, meat products, agricultural products, dairy, and milk products.
Likewise, he ordered Customs agents to be vigilant on the importers' compliance with the required clearances, certificates, and permits from their respective regulating government agencies and foreign suppliers as required by law.
The BOC official cautioned the public to be more alert in purchasing imported Christmas lights and firecrackers and make sure they have the approval of the Philippine safety standards.
"They should be very careful because if they buy substandard articles, these might cause fires which would result in loss of lives and properties like in previous years," said Paguntalan.
Customs officials have earlier anticipated the increased volume of merchandise to arrive with the onset of the holiday season, especially those coming from China and Hong Kong.
Paguntalan said that regulated importations such as firecrackers should first secure an import permit from Firearms and Explosives Division in Camp Crame.
Christmas lights are required to secure clearance from the Department of Trade and Industry upon arrival in the country to ensure that these adhere to the country's standards. (FP/Sunnex)
