‘Containerized’ shabu smuggling
Only the compulsory pre-shipment inspection of imports at their country of origin can put an end to the large-scale smuggling of illegal drugs through the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
We are all for pre-shipment checks on imports. Only crooked traders and their rotten coddlers in government are resisting the procedure.
Last week, the PDEA managed to intercept just one batch of the shabu shipment worth another P4.3 billion. The drugs were also hidden in magnetic lifters found in an abandoned container van that arrived at the MICT on June 28.
We’ve thrown everything at the problem of endemic Customs corruption. We’ve offered them rewards. We’ve provided them with all the equipment and technology to detect contraband. We’ve even assigned our toughest retired generals there. The BOC is simply beyond repair and redemption.
Thus, the only solution left, short of abolishing the bureau altogether is pre-shipment inspection.
Pre-shipment inspection benefits everybody, except the corrupt. Government will collect higher duties. Legitimate importers will avoid costly product defects and get their shipments faster without having to haggle with fixers.
Based on existing World Trade Organization standards, pre-shipment inspection may be carried out by independent service providers in the following manner:
First, pre-shipping physical inspection of goods is performed in the country of export, for the purpose of establishing the precise nature of the goods.
Second, the invoices and other supporting documents are scrutinized for an accurate valuation and the assignment of the applicable global Customs tariff code, which are then used, along with the destination country’s published duty rates, to calculate the correct duties payable.
Third, a pre-inspection certification is then issued to importer, for use in supporting the payment of full duties upon arrival at the destination country.
Finally, the actual duty collected is compared with the certificate, and any discrepancy can be audited and rectified.--Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza