Nearly all the 888 container vans containing imported rice worth P500 million currently stored at the Manila ports have already been cleared by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) but its importers are deliberately delaying their release.
In a statement, the BOC clarified that there were no port congestion that caused delay in rice shipments, raising concerns over potential delays and their effect on rice prices.
“The situation is not related to port congestion but stems from pending actions required by consignees for the release of these shipments,” the BOC said in a statement.
At the Port of Manila, 258 containers of rice remain in the yard. Of these, 237 containers have been cleared for release after payment of duties and taxes. The remaining 21 containers, accounting for 8.13%, had their Goods Declarations lodged only on 20 September 2024, and are still in the process of being cleared.
Similarly, at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), 630 containers of rice remain in the yard. Of these, 492 containers have been cleared for release, while 138 containers are still pending payment of duties and taxes.
The BOC emphasizes that none of these shipments have exceeded the 30-day period stipulated by Section 1129(d) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
According to the law, importers must claim their shipments within 30 days from payment of duties and taxes, or the shipments will be declared abandoned. The BOC will proceed with abandonment proceedings if any shipments remain unclaimed after this period.
The agency said the rice shipments are ready for release once consignees fulfill their responsibilities, and the accumulation at the ports is not due to any delay caused by congestion.
The BOC is continuously monitoring the situation and assures the public that the necessary processes are being followed, it added.
