P5.6-M UKAY-UKAY SEIZED

Four shipments containing used clothing from abroad intercepted by Bureau of Customs at Port of Davao

Four shipments containing used clothing from China, South Korea, and Taiwan worth P5.6 million were intercepted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents at the Port of Davao. BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, during the media presentation at the Port of Davao, said yesterday the seized four 40-footer containers were misdeclared used clothing or ukay-ukay which were consigned to Marjune Enterprises, and Guemdol Corporation.

Lapeña led the opening of the shipments that arrived at the Port of Davao on separate dates from June and July this year. The shipments were declared to contain bedsheets, thin blankets, shoes, bags, and stuffed toys by their consignees but the Customs agents found bales of used clothes upon inspection.

“I am encouraging the public not to patronize used clothing or ukay-ukay for it poses health risks. There is really wisdom in the law prohibiting its importation. The dignity of the nation and the people must be protected and should not be undermined,” he said.

The consigned violated Section 1400 or Misdeclaration, Misclassification, Undervaluation in Goods Declaration in relation to Section 1113 Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), as well as Republic Act No. 4653 which prohibits the importation of used clothing and rags.