The Department of Agriculture (DA) is testing imported sweeteners from Vietnam after the Bureau of Customs (BOC) flagged them as potentially misdeclared sugar, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. said Monday.
“It appears the consignee used Tariff Code 1702 because importing sugar requires Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA) clearance, and the DA/SRA has not authorized any importation so far,” Tiu-Laurel said.
The shipment was initially declared as “sweet mixed powder” under Tariff Code 1702, classifying it as “other sugar.”
A physical inspection indicated the product closely resembled refined sugar.
ASEAN member countries impose a 5-percent tariff on imports classified under Tariff Code 1701, while those under 1702 are taxed at 1 percent.
The shipment, comprising 14 20-foot container vans, arrived in three batches. The consignee’s identity was not disclosed pending further investigation. Othel V. Campos