P20-M worth of used luxury vehicles seized at Manila port

Bureau of Customs seized a shipment of smuggled used luxury vehicles initially declared as furniture at the Manila International Container Port.

Customs intelligence and investigation service intercepted the shipment on October 20 at the MICP.

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The shipment was imported by Blue Core Enterprises and declared as furniture, customs officials said. After examination, they discovered it contained P20 million worth of secondhand luxury vehicles, a Porsche, a Bentley, a Mercedes Benz, and a half-cut Volkswagen.

Customs said the importer of the used luxury vehicles is under investigation and may face charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

According to BOC’s Frequently Asked Questions page, only qualified individuals may bring in a used motor vehicle covered by a prior authority to import. Under appendix 1-D of BSP Circular-Letter, Series of 1995, dated October 19, 1995, the importation of used vehicles continues to be regulated and requires prior authority from the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), DTI.

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P20-M worth of used luxury vehicles seized at Manila port

Under Sec.3 of E.O.156 and Sec.1, Part II of the Implementing Guidelines, the following are allowed to import used motor vehicle under the No-Dollar Import Program:

  • Returning Resident – a Filipino citizen who has stayed in a foreign country for at least 1 year and which residency shall be accumulated within the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of filing of the application.
  • Immigrant – a person issued any of the following types of visa under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended:
    • A Filipino citizen and a holder of 13G Visa; or
    • A foreign national married to a Filipino and a holder of 13A Visa;
    • A Filipino citizen and holder of 47A and 47A2 issued to awardees of Special Government Project/s (SPG), e.g., Philippine Retirement Authority and Balik-Scientist Program.

Provided that:

  • The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) not exceeding three (3) tons;
  • It is covered by an authority to import (Certificate of Authority to Import) issued under the No-Dollar Importation Program by the Bureau of Import Services (BIS) ;
  • It is personally owned and registered under the name of a returning resident or immigrant at least six (6) months before the date of application for permit to import with the BIS ;
  • It is for personal use;
  • It cannot be resold for at least three (3) years.