The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Wednesday, August 3, that it has held the release of 59 container vans of “misdeclared goods” from China at the Manila port.
The shipment, which arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) from China on July 25, is for consignee MARID Industrial Marketing.
The goods were declared as “household wares” but upon inspection on Tuesday, BOC officials led by Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon found that the container vans had cosmetics and apparel.
The shipment did not have the required clearance and permit from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration, the BOC said.
“The cargoes were also found to bear falsified Form E (ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement form),” it added.
Faledon has ordered an investigation of the consignee’s permit to import cosmetic products, and possible violation of Republic Act No 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016.
Misdeclaring goods allows consignees to pay lower duties and taxes. It also endangers the public as the goods, in this case cosmetics, do not go through quality and safety inspection procedures, the BOC said.
The new Customs chief is pushing for reforms at the BOC, and has even threatened erring officials and employees of "death" if they don't heed his call. (READ: Faeldon to BOC officials: Support reforms or die) – Rappler.com