IN ITS aim to improve revenue collection and protect our local farmers from influx of smuggled agricultural products, the Bureau of Customs-Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP) Saturday, August 10, seized five shipments from China containing misdeclared agricultural products estimated to be worth P24 million.
The misdeclared shipments which arrived at MICP on separate dates last month were issued corresponding alert orders after examinations conducted by BOC officers revealed that there are discrepancies in the weight and declared value of the shipments.
Based on x-ray and physical inspection, the shipments which were declared as apples, oranges and pears also contained carrots, onions, and potatoes.
Four of the five shipments were consigned to Ingredient Management Asia Inc., and one to Mcrey International Trading.
The seized carrots were estimated to be worth P15 million, the onions to be P4 million and the potatoes to be valued at P5 million.
MICP has heightened its efforts against the smuggling of agricultural products in order to fulfill part of its mandate which is to protect our local farmers against harsh and unfair competition.
The seized goods will be condemned by Customs since these were not covered by any Phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Quarantine since agricultural items not covered by these permits may carry plant diseases and pests that can affect our local agriculture.
The shipments seized violated Sections 1400, 1113 and 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Republic Act (RA) 3720 or the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and RA 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.