SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Bureau of Customs-Subic (BoC-Subic) seized recently smuggled goods amounting to some P110 million at the New Container Terminal-1 (NCT1) inside this premier Freeport as part of its renewed thrust to thwart smuggling.

At least six 40-footer cargo containers were seized by the BoC Subic after they were found overstaying and situated at the NCT1 which is currently being operated by the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation’s (SBITC).

Lawyer Marietta Zamoranos, Customs Collector, said the shipments that they seized were already overstaying and have taken up much of the electricity and space needed for other paying shippers. “We are intensifying our efforts to look into these prohibited items and we are doing our mandate to the utmost of our abilities,” said Zamoranos.

Two of the containers full of used clothing were shipped from California, USA on Dec. 31, 2008. The consignee, Worldbest Logistics Phil., Inc., did not acknowledge the shipment and was left at the NCT1 for almost two years. The shipment of used clothing peaked at around $400,000 (around P18 million).

The shipments were declared as used household goods but were later found out to be used clothing. Another container was cramped with electronic games and parts that were shipped by Lidu Technology Company, Ltd. which came from Kaohsiung. Consignee Pedro B. Delgado Jr. never claimed the shipment worth $300,000 (about P13.5 million).

The biggest seizure was the container for M/C parts used in building ships with a whopping $1.5 million (around P67.5 million) worth of items. The costly item was stored in just one container that came from Pusan, Korea.

Shipper Morrison Express Corp. (Korea) Ltd. sent these ship spare parts to Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation-Philippines (HHIC-Phil.) in Subic but was never claimed by the shipbuilding conglomerate.

Another van contained a brand new Nissan Brougham, a luxury car worth $60,000 that came from Keelung, Taiwan. Consignee Kaizen Group Corporation (PH) did not acknowledge the shipment. The car, according to customs officials, was brand new and not used as was declared in its bill of lading.

The last container was full of household goods and personal effects worth $200,000 that was shipped by Logistar Co., Ltd. from Inchon, Korea. Asia Pacific Express Corporation, the consignee for the item, failed to receive the shipment.

Zamoranos said that all-in-all, the amount of these seized items would be around P110 million. She added that these items would be automatically be held by the BoC.