In compliance with the intensified anti-smuggling initiatives of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, the Port of NAIA recently apprehended misdeclared high end brands like Chanel, Hermes, Christian Louboutin, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Balenciaga bags, shoes, wallets and earrings approximately valued at Php 15 million.
Records show that the shipment was fraudulently declared as personal effects (shampoo, soap, towels, toiletries, canned goods, milk, chocolates, etc.) in 17 cartons from Milano, Italy, through RRG Freight Service Forwarder, in Paircargo Warehouse. The misdeclaration is an attempt to evade payment of correct duties and taxes by circumventing duty and tax free privileges afforded to balikbayan boxes.
However, this modus operandi was uncovered by Customs examiners who diligently reviewed the commercial documents, prompting their immediate physical examination.
The 100% physical examination of the subject shipment confirmed that it actually consists of expensive, branded bags, shoes, wallets and earrings in commercial quantities.
According to District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan, the shipment shall be subjected to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Section 1400 in relation to Section 1113 of the CMTA. Likewise, the records and details of the apprehension shall be referred to the Bureau Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) for profiling and case build up against the perpetrators.