3 Ukay-ukay Importers to Face Smuggling Charges Filed by Customs
The Bureau of Customs has filed smuggling complaints against three (3) ukay-ukay importers for misdeclaring their shipments that arrived in the country last year.
Throught the Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS), criminal cases were flled against the importers before the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Jan. 18 and 22. The latest complaints had brought to 112 the cases filed.
According to Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the Akiza 1688 Trading who import and misrepresent the 100 sacks of used clothing, 450 sacks, and 150 cartons of mixed fabrics and swatch, was charged.
The consignee declared its shipment as surplus utensils and kitchen utensils in October instead of declaring the real items. Based on the report of Manila Bulletin, the shipment was seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
Summer Beast Enterprises Co. is also charged for alleged illegal importation and misrepresentation of 539 bales of used clothing and other goods such as inkjet glossy paper, yoga mat, wearing clothes, telephone holder, etc. ‘ various foods, air purifiers, various cellphone accessories, cell phones, USB, vape, medicines, medical supplies, personal effects, and antennas.
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According to BATAS, the importer declared its shipment as Xueya brand paper products, Blue King brand light bulb, medial brand yoga mat, Wellone Brand wearing clothing, and Topo phone owner. The shipment was also halted last October at the MICP.
GT Enterprise was also charged for allegedly smuggling five shipments declared as 6,060 cartons of ceramic kitchenware but found 9,102 cartons of Banma coil, 218 cartons of kitchen goods, lunch utensils, and 50 pieces of Banma mosquito empty cartons. The cargoes were intercepted in August at the Port of Cagayan de Oro.
The bureau said the consignees and their respective licensed Customs brokers were “allegedly committing various violations” of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
They also violated Republic Act No. 4653 also known as “A Law to Protect Human Health and Preserve the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring Its National Policy Prohibiting the Importation of Textual Articles Commonly Known as Used Clothes and Rags.
As such, the Department of Health (DOH) Administration Order No. 2014-0038 or the Rules and Regulations governing the Household / Urban Pesticides Licensing of Establishments and Operators, Registration of Their Products and for Other Purposes; and Article 172 relating to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.
Guerrero reiterated that the acute misrepresentation of goods is misleading the government of proper revenues, adding that the importation of illicit goods such as used clothing can cause harm when exposed to the public.
READ ALSO: 432 Boxes of Smuggled Cigarettes Valued P13-M Seized in Cotabato City
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