The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday seized two 40-foot container vans loaded with P12 million worth of illegally-imported used tires, electronic and computer routers, parts and accessories.
The confiscation of the items came on the heels of the seizure of smuggled rice, sugar, motorbike, fake Louis Vuitton bags and accessories and guns at Cebu City last week.
Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said one of the two seized 40-foot container vans was allegedly consigned to Nolman Commercial and arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last January 24, 2013 from Japan.
In a statement, the BoC chief added that the container van was misdeclared as containing oil filters and pistons.
The other 40-foot container van was consigned to Victorious One Enterprises which also arrived at the MICP last February 13, 2013 from Singapore.
The BOC X-Ray operatives found that it contains Internet broadband Wifi routers, network cables, antivirus CDs and iphone cases. It was misdeclared as containing computer parts.
“We strongly believe that one way to eliminate smuggling is to hit smugglers where it will hurt the most, their pockets. We will not waver, therefore, in our campaign, not only to get smugglers, but their smuggled goods as well.” Biazon said.
“With the eventual full implementation of the BOC’s e2m and National Single Window Programs, coupled with the X-Ray Project’s enhanced scanning capabilities, we should be seeing more revenues and less smuggling attempts in the days ahead.” Biazon added.
BOC-X-Ray project head Mimel Talusan warned illegal importers that the BoC equipment is sophisticated enough to detect misdeclared goods.
“Our x-ray machines have tested and proven technical capabilities such that, when used, it can detect contrabands and other illegally imported goods concealed in container vans during scanning. With our x-ray scanners, we can also help facilitate faster trade for the country,” Talusan said.
The BoC has intensified its campaign against outright smuggling as well as technical smuggling as this has deprived the national coffers millions if not billions of pesos in revenues annually.
Aside from cracking down on smuggling, Biazon has also implemented rationalization program in the bureau, part of its overall strategy to improve revenue collection performance.
For the month of February, BOC revenue collections stood at P22.8 billion, a 2.8 percent uptick from its last year’s performance.