Auction of overstaying containers yields P1.076B in revenues —BOC

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Thursday it has collected more than a billion pesos worth of revenue from the disposal through public auction of overstaying containers last year.

In a statement, the BOC said its Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG), Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD) and auction and cargo disposal units of all collection districts disposed a total of 3,514 overstaying containers from January to December 2020.

P1,076,588,805.44 in revenue was generated from public auction of 1,898 containers of assorted items such as TV, tiles, and plywood; the condemnation of 1,346 containers; and donation of the remaining 270 containers.

The BOC said that disposing of the containers will improve the ease of doing business in the bureau and help decongest ports and yards.

Overstaying containers are either seized or abandoned.

Under Customs Memorandum Order 10-2020, overstaying cargoes for more than 30 days from the date of discharge which have not been withdrawn within the specified period of time shall be tagged abandoned, and upon finality of the Decree of Abandonment, the bureau shall then make the proper determination as to its disposition.

Under Section 1141 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, goods subject to disposition may be donated, declared for official use by the Bureau, or sold at public auction, while goods suitable for shelter, or consisting of foodstuffs, clothing materials, or medicines may be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News