THE Bureau of Customs confiscated more than P3 million worth of smuggled fake branded shoes, apparels, auto parts and agricultural machine parts from China.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the seizure was part of the bureau’s intensified drive against smuggling which had caused the government to loss P30 billion in duties and taxes a year.
Lapeña said the shipments were seized after Customs examiners found irregularity in the declared weight.
“The container weighs more than the declared weight in the entry declaration that’s why it was physically examined, it was through profiling that we were able to intercept the goods,” Lapeña said.
MICP District Collector Ruby Alameda said the 11 shipments were all misdeclared to defraud the government of rightful duties and taxes.
The shipments consigned to Gandar Import and Export Trading were all declared as fabrics but were found to contain used clothing, fake Nike shoes, auto parts, roll of fabrics, as well as rice.
Also, the shipment declared as fabrics, apparels, and LED lamps consigned to JJTS International Trading were loaded with misdeclared onions and fabrics.
The Malaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative declared the imported goods as fresh apples, pears, and frozen pork cheek meat, but turned out to be fresh apples mixed with white onions, apples mixed with carrots, and pears mixed with white onions.
Lapeña said all shipments would undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings after violating Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and Intellectual Property Law.
“The fake Nike shoes will be turned over to the Intellectual Property Rights Division for proper disposal while the onions, pears, carrots, and used clothing will be destroyed,” the Customs chief said.
The consignees and their Customs brokers will be under investigation for smuggling-related cases.
“The rampant smuggling of agricultural products and smuggled counterfeit goods have an adverse effect on the local farmers and legitimate brand owners in the country,” the Customs chief said.
“This should discourage businessmen and traders who are into illicit trade. BoC will detect these shipments and catch up with them,” he added.
