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The Bureau of Customs seized about P7 million worth of fresh carrots smuggled inside container vans declared as processed food products at the Port of Manila
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Shipments arrived March 22 and 25, 2026, declared as noodles, soya wrappers, fish tofu, and wakame salad, but contained 12,909 boxes of fresh carrots
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Alert orders were issued based on derogatory intelligence; 100% physical inspection confirmed the misdeclaration
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The misdeclared carrots were valued at P6.97 million, which came in with egg noodles worth P773,557; total including duties and taxes, exceeded P7.74 million
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Warrants of seizure and detention issued May 11 and 22, 2026; cargo forfeited in favor of the government
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized about P7 million worth of fresh carrots smuggled inside container vans declared as processed food products at the Port of Manila, in what officials described as a deliberate scheme to evade import duties and avoid agricultural import requirements.
The four container vans arrived at the port in two batches on March 22 and 25, 2026, with shipping documents listing the cargo as assorted food items, including egg noodles, flat noodles, soya wrappers, fish tofu, and wakame salad, the BOC said in a statement.
Acting on derogatory intelligence, port officials issued alert orders and subjected the shipments to a full physical examination.
Customs examiners uncovered 12,909 boxes of fresh carrots and 1,452 boxes of egg noodles. The carrots alone were valued at P6.97 million, while the noodles were assessed at approximately P773,557, bringing the combined value, inclusive of duties and taxes, to over P7.74 million.
Warrants of seizure and detention were subsequently issued on May 11 and 22, and the cargoes were forfeited in favor of the government for violations of Sections 117 and 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in relation to Section 1113 of the same law and Republic Act No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno served notice that enforcement would only intensify.
“We will not allow shipments that use misdeclaration and other deceptive practices to evade proper tax payments and required permits. We will intensify operations against agricultural smuggling to protect the livelihood of our local farmers,” Nepomuceno said.
READ: BOC endorses complaints vs smugglers of agricultural goods
The inspection was led by Enforcement Group Deputy Commissioner PBGen Nolasco Bathan (Ret.) and Intelligence Group deputy commissioner PMGen Emmanuel Luis Licup, alongside Port of Manila district collector Rizalino Jose Torralba and other senior BOC officials. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, including assistant secretary Willie Ann Angsiy, were also present during the operation.
READ: 9 Customs personnel face anti‑graft, smuggling charges
