BOC blacklists importer caught smuggling laptops

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday suspended the accreditation of an importer caught smuggling P10 million worth of computer laptops at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last week. Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales also had Hanjo Corporation Ology Co. Ltd. placed under the bureau's “blacklist" while the case is being investigated. " This importer can no longer transact with the bureau," said Morales, who also ordered a formal investigation to determine the liability of the other parties involved. Morales said what Hanjo did was a “clear case of misdeclaration. He said the importer declared the shipment as 192 pieces of laptop bags from Hong Kong, but Bureau of Customs agents found 192 pieces of brand new black Lenovo Ideapad 2005 model. The shipment also did not have import permits from the National Telecommunications Commission, said Morales. "I have ordered our people to issue a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment so that we may auction these off before they devaluate and convert these to revenues," he said. GMANews.TV