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The Bureau of Customs–Port of Subic seized around P136.59 million worth of illicit agricultural products and cigarettes
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Fresh carrots and white onions were misdeclared as frozen fish egg balls estimated at P 21 million
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Cigarettes from Taiwan were misdeclared as tissue worth approximately P115.5 million
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The action highlights the ongoing efforts of the BOC and the Department of Agriculture to combat smuggling and protect local industries
The Bureau of Customs (BOC)–Port of Subic recently seized illicit shipments of agricultural products and cigarettes, with a combined value of about P136.59 million, the agency said in a statement.
On August 15, a shipment of five 40-foot containers said to contain 13,250 cartons of frozen fish egg balls with an estimated value of P21 million became the subject of a verification request from the BOC’s Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy.
The shipment led to the issuance of an Alert Order against the same on August 22, the BOC said.
Upon further physical examination on August 28, BOC officials discovered the containers actually contained fresh carrots and yellow onions instead of frozen fish egg balls.
The shipment also lacked necessary documentation, including the requisite Certificate of Product Registration from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a sanitary and phytosanitary certificate, and proper declaration of the actual contents.
BOC said the shipment breached multiple regulatory measures such as Department of Health FDA Administrative Order No. 2020-0017, Department of Agriculture (DA) Circular No. 4, Series of 2016, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), particularly Sections 1400 and 1113 (f).
Warrants of seizure and detention were promptly issued against the subject shipment and the forfeiture proceedings are ongoing, the BOC said.
Additionally, 1,986 master cases of cigarettes from Taiwan, valued at approximately P115.5 million, were discovered in two 40-foot containers on September 6.
The shipment was falsely described as containing “Packages Tissue” (household items), according to BOC.
This misrepresentation violated several regulations, including the National Tobacco Administration’s Circular No. 03 Series of 2004 and Bureau of Internal Revenue Circular No. 79-2022, relating to Section 1113 (f) of the CMTA.
BOC and DA officials led by Uy, Port of Subic District Collector Atty. Ricardo U. Morales II, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and DA-Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban conducted a re-inspection of the intercepted agricultural products on September 11.
“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,” said Morales, as he emphasized BOC-Port of Subic’s commitment in upholding import regulations and protecting public health.
In a separate statement, Secretary Tiu Laurel condemned the unlawful operation: “Clearly, these are smuggled goods that rob our government of tariff revenue, pose a risk to public health, and undermine the livelihood of our vegetable farmers.”
The action highlights the ongoing efforts of the BOC and the DA to combat smuggling and protect local industries.
