MANILA, July 17 — The Bureau of Customs-Enforcement Group (BOC-EG) has seized an estimated PHP1.5 million worth of steel pipes in Davao City.
In a statement on Monday, the bureau said the shipment was misdeclared as 2,060 packages of Square Tube and consigned to Yagnas 08 Importation Trading.
It was apprehended by the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) last June 23.
Upon the discovery of the discrepancy, the ESS-Port of Davao headed by Jerry Arizabal recommended for the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipment for violation of Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016.
Under the law, “Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture – Property that shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture include: par (i) “Any package of imported goods which is found upon examination to contain goods not specified in that invoice or goods declaration including all other packages purportedly containing similar to those declared in the invoice or goods declaration to be the contents of the misdeclared package.”
The shipment is now at the container yard of Sasa Wharf holding area in the said province.
On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner-EG Ariel Nepomuceno and ESS Director Isabelo Tibayan reminded the transacting public that the bureau will not tolerate acts by private entities to deceive the government from collecting the right taxes from them. (Ferdinand G. Patinio/PNA)
