The Bureau of Customs seized three high-end luxury cars valued at a combined P5 million declared as auto spare parts at the Port of Subic.
Customs Deputy Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the luxury cars are a brand new BMW 735 IL, a Chrysler and Audi.
“The misdeclared shipment came from South Korea and was placed under alert order after customs intelligence agents discovered discrepancies in the statement of declaration in the manifest,” he said.
“This is a case of misdeclaration, in which the shipment was declared as truck spare parts instead of cars. As the enforcer of Customs laws, it is our duty to apprehend imports or exports which are shipped in violation of the TCCP. Further, this shipment may also be in violation of EO 156. Importers of used cars usually resort to misdeclaration of cargoes to avoid the ban on used cars under the said executive order,” Nepomuceno said.
He said the BoC has strengthened its drive against technical smuggling through misdeclaration.
Nepomuceno said that bureau has recently issued a memorandum mandating all concerned officers and offices of the bureau to observed correct and proper valuation of all harmonized system codes or of all motor vehicle commodities, as part of the government’s fight against technical smuggling.
The BoC said it will file charges against the importer or importers whose identities were not revealed.