By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday led the inspection of the seized 14 20-foot container vans of misdeclared refined sugar from Vietnam with an estimated value of PHP28.72 million.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio headed the inspection of the apprehended agricultural products which were seized for violations of customs regulations and other pertinent legal provisions, the bureau said in a press release.
The shipment, declared as “sweet mixed powder,” originated from Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, was flagged by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)–Port of Subic for possible misdeclaration and regulatory non-compliance.
Laboratory analysis conducted after a physical inspection in collaboration with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) determined that the sucrose content of the samples exceeded 65 percent, thereby reclassifying the shipment as refined sugar, contrary to their declared description.
These findings constitute violations of SRA Sugar Order No. 7, S. 2003–2004; SRA and BOC Joint Memorandum Order No. 04-2002; and Sections 1400 and 1113 (f)(k) 1, 4, and 5 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Sec. 7 (a) and (e) of the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act.
Port of Subic District collector Marlon Fritz Broto has issued a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) on March 28 against the subject goods which are presently undergoing forfeiture proceedings.
“Through stringent inspections and decisive enforcement actions, the Port of Subic continues to fulfill its duty to secure our borders and maintain the integrity of lawful trade. We thank the SRA for its steadfast support in this operation,” he said.
Rubio said the operation supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure food security, uphold trade integrity, and combat agricultural smuggling. (PNA)
