A shipment of live ornamental fish from Taiwan was recently intercepted at the Subport of Mactan for absence of import permit, the Bureau of Customs said Saturday, Dec. 5.
The shipment contained 14 kilos of live ornamental fish locally known as Angelfish and Guppies. The fish were packed in plastic bags and were concealed in a box.
According to the bureau, it came from Taiwan but was shipped from Hong Kong to the Philippines via the Subport of Mactan. It arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Nov. 25.
Inspection then revealed that it lacked the required import clearance from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Port of Cebu Acting District Collector Charlito Martin Mendoza has issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment for violation of Section 1113 (F) and (L) (5) in relation to Section 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
“Prior to shipping, especially for live animals, and other regulated goods, please be sure to know and secure the proper clearances from our regulating agencies, comply with customs procedures and duties, and know the consequences of not doing so,” Subport of Mactan Collector Gerardo Campo reminded the importers.
The Subport of Mactan then turned over the shipment to BFAR for proper disposition.