BOC-Port of Manila seizes P54-M worth of misdeclared sugar

December 17, 2019

The Bureau of Customs-Port of Manila seized P54-million worth of Korach-conditioned refined sugar misdeclared as steel, tex screw, clamp, nails and hardware fittings contained in 48 containers.

The shipments from China arrived on different dates last August and September and were consigned to RZTREC and TRACLEF Trading, the BOC said in a statement.

Said shipments were alerted on November 8, 13 and 14 and the examination started on November 13, it added.

After the physical examination of the containers, Warrants of Seizure and Detention were issued for violation of Section 1400 in relation to Section 117 of the CMTA and Republic Act No. 10845 otherwise known as Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

In accordance with Letter (e), Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10845, the crime of large-scale agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage, involving sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish, and cruciferous vegetables, in its raw state, or which have undergone the simple processes of preparation or preservation for market, with a minimum amount of P1 million, or rice, with a minimum amount of P10 million, as valued by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), is committed through misclassification, undervaluation or misdeclaration upon the filing of import entry and revenue declaration with the BOC in order to evade the payment of rightful taxes and duties due to the government.

The BOC continues to be vigilant against customs fraud and fulfill its mandate to enhance border security. For the year 2019, Port of Manila has seized a total of P314.506 million worth of misdeclared goods – 17.28% higher than the 268.161 million worth of apprehensions last year.

Relatedly, the Sugar Master Plan Foundation, Inc. awarded the Port of Manila, a Certificate of Appreciation, last 11 December, for the recent apprehension of smuggled sugar. DMS