Customs seized P53 million worth of smuggled vegetables from China

Customs seized P53 million worth of smuggled vegetables from China
Customs seized P53 million worth of smuggled vegetables from China (Image from CNN Philippines)

Bureau of Customs-Port of Manila (BOC-POM) seized P53 million worth of smuggled vegetables from China, Wednesday.

According to BOC-POM District Collector Arsenia C. Ilagan, Shi­nerise Trading Service was the consignee of the smuggled onions, carrots, potatoes, and broccoli which in 16 container vans.

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A Custom Broker Johnna Philipian Cristobal Aceveda processed the said importation process.

Shinerise Trading declared the shipments as fishball, popular street food in the Philippines, amounting to ₱2,542,882 on August 8, 2019.

However, during the actual inspection, BOC-POM officials learned that the real imported goods were P20 million worth of carrots; P2.5 million worth of potatoes; and P10 million worth of broccoli.

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BOC released seizure and detention warrant due to violations of Section 1400 at Section 1113 ng Customs Modernization and Tariff Act or Misdeclaration, misclassification, and Undervaluation to confiscate the smuggled goods.

BOC immediately revoked the consignee Shinerise Trading’s accreditation. Custom Broker Aceveda would also undergo investigation.

BOC seized P1.4 million worth of smuggled rice and cigarettes in Zamboanga last month

In August, BOC seized P665,000 worth of rice and P800,000 worth of cigarettes in Zamboanga City port.

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According to reports, BOC found various sacks of rice inside ML Nhardzrmar-2 while it was docked at Weebin Private Wharf, Baliwasan Seaside, Zamboanga City. The boxes of different cigarette brands were confiscated from MV Trisha Kirstin-1 of Aleson Shipping Lines.

Also this month, BOC intercepted a ₱24-million-worth of misdeclared shipped carrots, onions and potatoes at the Manila International Container Port.

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