Custom seizes smuggled computers from China, sports car and motorcycles from Japan

(Update 3:25 p.m.) The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized P11.1 million worth of smuggled computers from China, as well as a sports car and motorcycles from Japan.

 

One of the shipments worth P4.4 million was consigned to Panda Vine International Trading, the BOC said on Monday.

 

The goods were seized in January and were shown to the media only Monday.

 

Originally declared as 873 units of used bicycles, the shipment actually includes a right-hand drive Subaru WRX 2000cc sports car, 13 Honda scooters, two Yamaha scooters, as well as car and motorcycle parts, according to the bureau.

 

It was only when the BOC conducted a "100 percent document and physical examination" last month that the actual contents of the shipment were revealed.

 

"The motor vehicles imported by Panda Vine lack the necessary permit from the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Import Service, which is a requirement when importing motor vehicles," the BOC said.

 

The importation of right-hand drive vehicles is prohibited under Republic Act 8506.

 

Another shipment valued at P6.7 million was consigned to Capas Pottery and Gen Merchandise, which arrived at the MICP in October 2014 and was found to be "grossly undeclared."

 

 

The shipment contained 672 computers including mouse and keyboards. The BOC said the shipment was valued at $17,400 or P765,000, but the actual worth of the shipment is $296,352 or P13,039,488, the BOC noted.

 

"Under Section 2503 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, any discrepancy between what was declared and what was found that exceeds 30 percent is gross undervaluation," the bureau noted.

 

BOC Enforcement and Security Service director Willie Tolentino said the bureau will auction off the shipments.

 

"After law proceedings, i-auction natin 'yan, after all the processes," Tolentino told reporters in an interview Monday.

 

"Titignan ng ating legal division 'yung mga sino pa dapat kasuhan, pagkatapos ng lahat 'yan, ipapasa sa Auction and Cargo Disposal Division, sila na magpapa-auction niyan," he added.

 

The bureau on Monday also showed to the media the container vans with P21 million worth of smuggled used clothes or ukay-ukay from South Korea. The shipments were seized late last year.

 

Tolentino said the bureau intends to donate the used clothes once the legal process is complete.