The Bureau of Customs- Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) of the Legal Service on Wednesday, January 31, filed smuggling charges against two Davao-based companies over illegal importation of prohibited used clothing and rags valued at more than P4 million.
In separate cases filed before the Department of Justice for the violation of Section 1400 in relation to Section 1401 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Republic Act 4653 or “An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit Commercial Importation of Textile Articles commonly known as Used Clothing and Rags”, and Section 172 of the Revised Penal Code, BATAS identified the companies as G-Joyce Enterprises and Zainar General Merchandise.
Charged are owner of Zainar, Berkis Nuh Abdu of Sasa, Davao city and his customs brokers, Remar Ferniz Mansari and Asniel Mocaram Diamad, and owner of G-Joyce, Griechelle Joyce Ballon Basio of Tagum City and his customs broker, Asniel Mocaram Diamad.
“Two counts of smuggling charges were filed against Zainar while one to G-Joyce for their attempt to smuggle ukay-ukay at Port of Davao,” Commissioner Lapena said.
Busted ukay-ukay
In November 2017, two container vans from Korea arrived at the Port of Davao consigned to Zainar General Merchandise. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena issued an alert order for the shipment filed under Import Entry Numbers C20595 and C20593.
The consignee declared the goods as packages of blankets, bedsheets, pillowcases, carpets, and caps but was found to be used blankets, bedsheets, pillowcases, scarfs, socks, pants, jackets and shirts with a total value of P3,685,854.06 and total duties and taxes of P1,274,415.26.
“Majority of the contents of the container are used pants, shirts, and jackets,” the customs examiner said.
Also, another container van from Malaysia consigned to G-Joyce Enterprises was placed under alert order by the Commissioner.
The shipment declared under Import Entry Number C20601 said to contain bedsheets, bags, curtains, shoes, and pillowcases but was found to contain used clothing with a total value of P567,424.89 and total duties and taxes of P198,224.00.
“One of the booming businesses in our country is the selling of ukay-ukay. Because of its cheaper price, it is often patronized by the consumers over high-priced clothing,” the Customs chief said.
However, the law provides that in order to preserve the dignity of the nation, we must stop buying these items.
“Not only does it undermine our dignity but it also poses greater risk to our health. Used clothing, according to research, can cause skin diseases, itchiness, redness, and may trigger allergies,” he said.
The Commissioner reminds the public to be cautious in buying ukay-ukay in order to prevent diseases. (BOC-PR)
