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Customs foils exportation of P1.72-M Agarwood shipment at Port of Davao
Customs foils exportation of P1.72-M Agarwood shipment at Port of Davao
A P1.72 million-worth of shipment of Agarwood, one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world, was recently intercepted at the Port of Davao, the Bureau of Customs said.
The shipment, declared as wood frames for souvenirs, was intended for export to Vietnam,according to Port of Davao District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria.
Screening and inspection last December 10 revealed that the package contains 671 pieces of Agarwood chips sought to be illegally exported from the country without the necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
According to the bureau, since Argarwood is classified as one of the most expensive raw materials in the world, the country is prohibiting potential illegal export of such material.
Agarwood is also included in the National List of Threatened Philippine Plants under DENR Administrative Order No. 2007-01.
Austria said they are now enforcing intensified watch over these types of shipments as a similar shipment was also intercepted at the Port of NAIA recently.
About 28 kilos outbound package of Agarwood worth P2.4 million was prevented from leaving last December 2.
“We will continue to coordinate with this port in providing all material information as to potential export shipments of this kind so that interceptions can be timely done in Davao, Manila or at any place. The said offices will, likewise, collaborate as to intelligence gathering, physical and x-ray inspection and other speedy detections,” Austria said.
The seized package will be subjected to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Section 117 (Regulated Shipments), Section 1400 (Misdeclaration) and Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture), all of Republic Act No. 10863 (CMTA) in relation to Section 27 (i) of Republic Act No. 9147 (Wild Life Act).
It will also be turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
"The Port would like to thank the DENR, the PNP Aviation Security Group and Customs NAIA’s collaborative work with us, led by District Collector, Carmelita Talusan. We will continue to closely coordinate with them to ensure that our borders are efficiently protected from potential illegal exports of endangered trees, in line with the directives of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero. Certainly, we will not tolerate these acts of illegal trade in any of our airports and seaports,” Austria said.