BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ruffy Biazon on Thursday led the inspection of misdeclared items worth P16 million, including a toxic chemical called toluene diisocyanate (TDI), used trucks and motorbikes among other goods seized recently at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
Among those apprehended was the shipment of Mythian Trading containing 160 packages of TDI from Hong Kong and were misdeclared as food ingredients.
"These are the type of shipments we are closely monitoring, as we will never allow the safety of the Filipinos to be compromised," Biazon said.
Exposure to TDI through inhalation causes eye irritation and affects the respiratory, gastro-intestinal and the central nervous system. Experiments on animals have also shown that long exposure to the extremely toxic chemical increases the incidence of tumor on the pancreas, liver and the mammary glands.
On the other hand, the shipment of Reigning King International containing 608 cartons and 40 boxes of electric motorbikes from China worth P8,575,250, were misdeclared as E-Bicycle parts and accessories.
Likewise, Algebra Trading misdeclared as beverages to avoid excise tax its shipment of 1,330 cartons of assorted beer and liquor from the USA, worth P4,346,304.
Meanwhile, two completely built used trucks, a farm tractor, generator and used appliances from Japan worth P3,100,000, were misdeclared by its consignee Seamrise Enterprises as used truck parts and used machinery.
Also seized was a completely built unit (CBU) motorcycle (big bike) from London, England worth P300,000 misdeclared by its consignee Masterlink Cargo System Inc. as personal effects.
He noted that customs operatives apprehended the shipments after its misdeclarations were discovered during x-ray scanning by BOC’s X-Ray Inspection (XIP).
"The BOC's reform program is anchored on three major components, the policy reforms, organizational reforms and equipment modernization. And the equipment modernization aspect involves the upgrading of the BOC’s computer system and x-ray capabilities," Biazon said. (FP/Sunnex)