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The Bureau of Customs seized various agricultural products worth P4.75 million for lack of import permits
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The market stall owner in Manila failed to present proof of payment of duties and taxes and corresponding import permit during inspection
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The market stalls have been sealed and placed under Customs custody
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Intelligence Group and Manila International Container Port seized on September 29 various agricultural products worth P4.75 million in Tondo, Manila for lack of import permits.
The seizure was the result of an operation targeting sale of imported agricultural products, BOC said in a statement.
Customs operatives, closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and barangay officials, posed as buyers and successfully identified three subject market stalls on Carmen Planas Street and Bilbao Street.
Upon inspection, BOC operatives found imported carrots, garlic, broccoli, red and yellow onions, and ginger inside the stalls.
The agricultural products were confiscated after the stall owner failed to present proof of payment of duties and taxes and the corresponding import permit during inspection. The market stalls have been sealed and placed under Customs custody as BOC conducts further inventory and investigation.
BOC said it “strongly denounces the fraudulent importation of agricultural products, and consistently implements efforts to intensify its border protection measures to assure the safety of the consumers.”
From January to June 2021, BOC seized smuggled agricultural products worth an estimated P244.361 million.
