Customs blacklists 261 more importers in June
THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) revoked the licenses of more importers and brokers this month, following failure of the traders to provide satisfactory responses to show-cause orders.
According to the bureau’s Accounts Management Office, 261 import and broker licenses were ordered for de-listing this month.
The total was up 77% from May’s 146 licenses revoked.
On top of the blacklisted traders, 20 more customs brokers were issued show- cause orders after the BoC’s initial findings of alleged illicit activity.
If the traders fail to provide a satisfactory response, the BoC will immediately order revocation of their licenses.
Since the start of the year, the bureau has revoked 613 accreditations, including those traders that have not updated their contact information, and those whose licenses have been blocked for reactivation. This is equivalent to 5.57% of the 11,000 total registered importers and customs brokers.
Sought for confirmation, BoC spokesperson and Office of the Commissioner Chief of Staff Mandy Therese M. Anderson said that the revocations are “final.”
Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon initiated the clean-up of the registry in January, amid multiple findings of alleged misdeclaration and use of falsified information.
He said earlier that he is not worried about purging the list as many others are applying.
The BoC is reviewing its records for the past six years for anomalous transactions, and are releasing new blacklists every week.
According to Mr. Faeldon, the BoC estimates around P200 billion worth of losses to the government from technical smuggling.