P11.5M worth of undeclared agricultural products seized in Manila

Published December 15, 2022 06:31 PM By SUNDY LOCUS,GMA Integrated News

Around P11.5 million worth of undeclared agricultural products were seized by the agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). 

In a press statement on Thursday, the BOC said the products were found in six shipments that arrived in the country from Hong Kong on November 18. They were consigned to Victory JM Enterprise OPC.
 

The Office of the District Collector issued Pre-Lodgement Control Orders and Alert Orders against the shipments upon receiving derogatory information from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and the Department of Agriculture (DA) that the cargoes contained agricultural products, misdeclared items, and undeclared items.
 
The agency said they found undeclared agricultural products, unmanifested frozen tofu, chicken paw, boneless beef, Vietnamese suckling pig, beancurd skin, undeclared fresh white onions, undeclared frozen fish tofu, and frozen beef cheek meat, which all require permits from the DA. 
 
The BOC said the MICP issued warrants of Warrants of Seizure and Detention against the shipments for violating Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the DA regulation on December 2, 5, and 7. 

Under Philippine laws, importers should have the necessary permits from both the BOC and the DA to ensure food safety and the quality of agricultural products before importation.
 
The BOC is mandated to assess and collect customs revenues from imported goods and exercise border control to prevent the entry of smuggled goods. — VBL, GMA Integrated News

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