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The Bureau of Customs intercepted three containers of misdeclared fresh carrots from China worth almost P13.3 million at the Port of Manila
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The shipment was falsely declared as bathroom fixtures, napkins, and storage boxes
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The alert order was issued on October 8 following a derogatory report; physical inspection on October 17 confirmed the misdeclaration
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A warrant of seizure and detention will be issued for violations under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted three containers of misdeclared fresh carrots from China worth almost P13.3 million at the Port of Manila.
The three 40-foot containers, which arrived on October 2, were falsely declared as bathroom fixtures, napkins, and storage boxes, BOC said in a press release.
Following a derogatory report received by the Port of Manila’s Alert Monitoring Unit, District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar issued an alert order on October 8, leading to a full physical inspection on October 17.
Customs examiners uncovered 53,283.88 kilograms of fresh carrots, with an estimated fair market value of P13,282,072.77. The inspection was later confirmed by Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla and other BOC officials on October 22.
A warrant of seizure and detention will be issued for violations of Sections 1400 and 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, relating to misdeclaration and lack of import permits, in connection with Section 1113 on property subject to seizure and forfeiture.
“We are already preparing the necessary legal actions against those responsible,” Maronilla said. “Misdeclaration is a deliberate act to deceive the government and harm our farmers. The BOC will pursue this case with due process and determination.”
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect Filipino farmers and maintain fair trade practices.
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“These illegal shipments directly affect the livelihood of our farmers and the integrity of lawful trade,” Nepomuceno said. “Under the President’s directive, we are intensifying our border protection measures and improving coordination with other government agencies to stop these unlawful activities at their source.”
