Nine China-Bound Shipments Found Misdeclared as Common Goods; Customs Tightens Crackdown on Illegal Imports
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted nine container vans loaded with misdeclared vape products worth nearly P137 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), marking one of the agency’s biggest anti-smuggling operations against illegal vape imports this year.
The seizure was carried out under the leadership of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, following intelligence reports that prompted MICP District Collector Atty. Geoffrey K. De Vera IV to issue Alert Orders authorizing a 100-percent physical examination of the shipments.
The inspection, conducted at the Designated Examination Area with the assistance of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), uncovered thousands of undeclared vape products concealed inside shipments originating from China.
The imported cargoes had been declared as ordinary commercial goods, including cardboard boxes, packaging materials, kitchenware, underwear, clothes hangers, shoe boxes, and footwear.
However, Customs inspectors discovered that the containers actually contained large quantities of vape kits, disposable vape devices, vape cartridges, and other vape-related products with an estimated total value of P136,924,250.
Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) joined Customs personnel in verifying and assessing the seized products to ensure compliance with existing laws regulating the importation and sale of vape products in the country.
Commissioner Nepomuceno stressed that the Bureau will not tolerate attempts to smuggle regulated products into the Philippines.
“Hindi natin palalampasin ang pagpuslit sa bansa ng mga regulated products. Malinaw ang regulasyon ng gobyerno para sa mga vape products na ito, at ang magbabalak umiwas dito ay agad na pananagutin. Patuloy nating hihigpitan ang seguridad sa ating mga pantalan upang maprotektahan ang publiko, ang mga lehitimong negosyo, at ang kaban ng bayan, alinsunod sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Nepomuceno said.
The BOC said the operation forms part of its intensified campaign against illicit trade, emphasizing that the agency remains committed to strengthening border security, protecting government revenues, supporting legitimate businesses, and safeguarding public health from the proliferation of illegally imported regulated products.
Authorities are now pursuing further investigation to identify those behind the attempted smuggling and determine possible violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and other applicable laws.
ia/xf
