The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized a misdeclared race car that should have netted government duties and taxes of up to P16 million.
The McLaren 620R arrived at the Port of Manila on July 16 and was declared by the importer as a brand-new Porsche Cayman sports car, BOC said in a statement.
The shipment’s consignee, Llorin Trading, allegedly declared duties and taxes amounting to only P1.5 million. The McLaren 620R has a value of P33 million and corresponding duties and taxes worth P16.772 million.
BOC assistant commissioner Atty. Vincent Philip Maronilla in a virtual presser on August 3 said the shipment’s port of origin was declared as Hong Kong, although the agency was not discounting the possibility it was only transshipped through Hong Kong from Europe or United States.
BOC Port of Manila district collector Michael Angelo Vargas immediately issued a warrant of seizure and detention on the shipment upon recommendation of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, which sounded the shipment alert.
The consignee and customs broker of the shipment will face possible charges for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration, Misclassification, Undervaluation, in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Maronilla said they will seek guidance from higher-ups on the sports car’s mode of disposition; an option is public auction or redemption to get needed government funds.
