Various branded watches, bags, and shoes only declared for personal use but came in commercial quantity were intercepted at the Port of NAIA recently.
Branded watches, bags, wallets, and shoes valued at P1.1 million were found in a shipment from the USA during x-ray inspection on June 29, the Bureau of Customs Thursday, July 2.
The shipment was seized due to misdeclaration as “personal effects” because it was later discovered that the quantity of the items is intended for commercial use, which is a clear violation of Customs laws in an attempt to evade tax and duties set by the government for such importation.
The seized items include branded watches such as Michael Kors, Fossil, Anne Klein, Charriol, Invicta, Kate Spade, Diesel and Tommy, as well as bags, wallets, shoes -- all in commercial quantity, the bureau said.
A warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) has been issued against the intercepted consumer goods for violation of Section 1400 (Misdeclaration) and Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
According to the bureau, the case records shall also be referred to the Bureau's Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) for a possible criminal complaint against the personalities behind the foiled smuggling attempt.
Earlier, 500 tablets of ecstasy from Germany and marijuana from Great Britain worth P2 million and only declared as gifts and toys were seized by the bureau at the Port of NAIA. (Betheena Unite)