Customs On High Alert For Ukay-Ukay Imports From Wuhan
UKAY-UKAY IMPORTS FROM WUHAN – The Bureau of Customs said it is on high alert and monitoring shipments of used clothing or “ukay-ukay” coming from Wuhan.
Amidst the outbreak of the new Wuhan virus, the Bureau of Customs said they were not taking chances. The virus had already infected over 9000 people and killed 213 in China.
Because of the rampant outbreak of the virus, countries have started to ban travel to and from mainland China. Adding this, the World Health Organization had also declared the virus a “Global Emergency”.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the first case of the new novel coronavirus had been confirmed. This led to the panic buying of facemasks causing them to be sold out in a matter of hours.
Although the Department of Health had not tagged clothes as possible carries of the deadly virus, customs wanted to vigilant.
According to an article from CNN, the focus had been on shipments from countries with confirmed cases of the virus. In addition to this, by law, shipping and selling of used clothes in the Philippines is illegal.
In addition, customs said they were on the lookout for exotic animals and other food items that could be potential carriers for the virus.
We don’t allow any importation of food products without the corresponding license coming from the Food and Drug Authority or the Department of Agriculture
Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla
Those who are tasked to examine shipments abroad have been directed to wear full protective gear to be safe from the virus.
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