P15-M misdeclared agri products seized in Manila

MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday seized four shipments containing misdeclared agricultural products and other items worth PHP15.5 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

In a statement, the bureau said the misdeclared shipments which arrived from China on separate dates in June were issued corresponding alert orders.

This after examinations conducted by BOC officials revealed that there are discrepancies in the weight and declared value of the shipments.

After the conduct of X-ray and physical inspections, Customs personnel found that one of the four shipments was declared as 3,300 boxes fresh apples but the container was actually found to contain red onions.

The misdeclared shipment has an estimated market value of PHP1.8 million.

On the other hand, two cargoes which were declared as red beans but were found to contain 5,300 sacks of refined sugar were estimated to be worth PHP9.6 million.

Another container was declared as 1,058 packages of t-shirts but actually contained different items worth PHP4.1 million.

Inspection revealed that the shipment contains 200 sacks of rice, 1,300 packages of other food products, 30 packages of medicine and 425 packages of other non-perishable items.

The BOC said that the seizure of the shipments was the result of its heightened efforts against the smuggling of agricultural products in a bid to improve revenue collection and protect local farmers.