The Bureau of Customs (BOC) - Port of Subic intercepted illegal shipments of agricultural products and cigarettes with an estimated value of Php136.59 million.
Five 40-foot containers with 13,250 cartons of frozen fish egg balls arrived on August 15, 2024. Upon its arrival, the BOC Intelligence Group Deputy Commission Juvymax Uy requested for its verification; which led to the issuance of an Alert Order against them on August 22, 2024.
On August 28, 2024, officials discovered that carrots and yellow onions were inside the container, instead of frozen fish egg balls. Authorities also mentioned that the shipment lacked the necessary documentation, including the requisite Certificate of Product Registration from the FDA, a Sanitary Certificate, and proper declaration of the actual contents.
Due to this, multiple regulatory measures like the DOH FDA Administrative Order No. 2020-0017, Department of Agriculture Circular No. 4, Series of 2016, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), specifically Sections 1400 and 1113 (f) Warrants of Seizure and Detention were immediately issued against the subject shipment.
Meanwhile, 1,986 master cases of cigarettes from Taiwan worth Php115.5 million were uncovered in two 40-foot containers on September 6, 2024.
The shipment was falsely labeled as containing household items, specifically, Packages Tissue. Its misrepresentation was found to have violated the National Tobacco Administration’s Circular No. 03 Series of 2004 and the Bureau of Internal Revenue Circular No. 79-2022, relating to Section 1113 (f) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
A re-inspection of the intercepted agricultural products was conducted by officials on September 11, 2024.
“We are determined to prevent misdeclared and smuggled goods from entering the country. Our stringent inspection protocols ensure compliance with the law, and we will take necessary action against violators,” Port of Subic District Collector Atty. Ricardo U. Morales II said.
