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Red onions from China worth P10 million were seized by the Bureau of Customs at the Manila International Container Port on July 17
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Two containers declared to contain white onions were issued an alert order and examined to reveal red onions
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No sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance was issued for the importation of fresh red onion
Red onions from China worth about P10 million were seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on July 17.
Two containers declared to contain white onions and consigned to Flevo Trading were issued an alert order and subjected to a 100% examination, revealing the red onions, BOC said in a statement.
A warrant of seizure and detention was immediately issued against the shipments.
BOC-MICP district collector Romeo Allan Rosales said the smuggling of red onions has been greatly affecting local industries. He added BOC will ensure proper declaration is done and the necessary permits secured to properly import regulated goods.
In a June 23 letter to Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Bureau of Plant Industry director George Culaste said their agency has not issued any sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for the importation of fresh red onion, while importation of yellow onion is still not subject to any restriction.
