BOC presents P14 million worth of smuggled onions seized in July, August

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) presented to the media on Monday a total of P14 million worth of smuggled onions from China that it seized in two operations at the Manila International Container Port.   According to Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, the first incident was on July 26 and involved five 40-footer container vans consigned to RSG Marketing. The second, on August 2, involved one 40-footer container van consigned to Adier Enterprise Trading.   “To circumvent the existing ban on the importation of onions, RSG marketing declared its onion shipment in their entry as fresh pears while Adier Enterprise Trading declared its shipment as household decors,” he said.   “We will continue to uphold the interest of our local onion raisers against smuggling. This is the essence of the ban on onion importations.  With proper coordination with the Department of Agriculture, the BOC will never allow illegally imported onions to get through our gates,” Biazon added.   BOC Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim said the consignees violated Section 101, in relation to Sections 2503 and 2530 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines.   “Upon receipt of our MICP operative’s report and upon confirmation of the misdeclaration, I immediately issued the corresponding Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) to facilitate the immediate seizure of said shipment,” he said. The country currently is currently experiencing an onion shortage, which has caused vegetable sellers to seek permission from the government to import onions. — BM, GMA News