MANILA, Philippines — After making the rounds of the stalls in Divisoria, Manila, to check for substandard Christmas decorations last week, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) is turning its attention on the illegal entry of firecrackers in the ports.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon ordered both the Intelligence and Enforcement Group to intensify its monitoring of smuggled pyrotechnics, which are generally substandard and dangerous.

The smuggling of pyrotechnics usually increases as the New Year approaches.

“Under the law, only shipments of raw materials for pyrotechnics are allowed but not the importation of finished products,” said Biazon.

Firecrackers, which are considered regulated importation, require import permits from the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) in Camp Crame.

Customs agents might conduct random check of stalls selling fireworks to determine if illegal importations of firecrackers have found their way to the market.

Biazon said illegally imported pyrotechnics could be mixed with locally made fireworks to avoid being found out.

Beginning in September, the volume of imports rises because importers and businessmen prepare for bigger shipments in time for the Christmas season. The bulk of the shipment is scheduled to arrive between November and December.

Biazon said the most common source of smuggled firecrackers is China and nearby countries where defective Christmas lights are also being imported.

“We will continue our vigilance against smuggling to ensure that all duties and taxes are also being paid for increased volume of imports,” Biazon said.

Every New Year's, hundreds of merrymakers end up in hospitals due to firecracker-related injuries.