THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has earned over P469-million from the conduct of public auctions on illegally imported goods forfeited in favor of the government from January to mid-September this year.
The figure includes the P12.065-million winning bid a shipment of smuggled garlic sold through public auction on Tuesday, the BOC said.
From January to September 16, the BOC-Manila International Container Port (MICP) District Office successfully conducted 14 public auctions of some 1,319 container vans with forfeited shipments, generating a total of P469.052-million, 261 percent over its full-year 2014 auction revenue target of P130-million.
The significant jump in the district’s auction proceeds stem from its sale of 315 container vans of glutinous and white rice last September 11, which earned over P393-million.
"More than raising revenues for the government, the aggressive disposition of forfeited goods has also helped decongest the Manila International Container Terminal and sent a strong message to our stakeholders that we are committed to implementing customs laws and policies to the letter," said BOC-MICP District Collector ElmirDela Cruz.
On top of the public auctions, the BOC-MICP also condemned 1,091 container vans of seized goods that can neither be sold through public bidding nor donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These include pirated or fake goods, food items and medicines that are expired and have no permits from the Food and Drug Administration. (SDR/Sunnex)