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BOC files smuggling raps vs agri, general goods importers

Philippines | National

BOC files smuggling raps vs agri, general goods importers

By Betheena Unite

Importers of agricultural products and general merchandise are now facing smuggling charges for attempting to sneak their shipments into the country through misdeclaration.

(MANILA BULLETIN)

Through the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Action Team Against Smugglers, criminal charges were lodged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against two importers on March 5.

Arma Consumer Goods Trading was charged for the alleged unlawful importation of steel coils and face shields amounting to P959,164.59. The shipment arrived at the Port of Manila on June 25, 2020.

According to the bureau, the importer and customs broker were charged for violation of Section 1401 (c) in relation to Sections 1400, 1403 and 1113 (i), (l) (3,4, and 5), 404 and 405 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA); and Article 172 in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), as amended.

A criminal case was also filed against Zhenpin Consumer Goods Trading for the alleged unlawful importation and misdeclaration of various agricultural products such as carrots and broccoli amounting to P8,817,339.49. The shipment entered the country through the Port of Subic.

Zhenpin Consumer Goods Trading and its customs broker are facing twelve counts of violations of Section 1401 (e) in relation to Sections 1400, 1403, 1113 (f), (i), (l) (3) (4) (5), 117, 107, 404 and 412 of CMTA, Sections 3 and 4 of RA No. 10845, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 in relation to Department of Agriculture (DA) Circular No. 04, Series of 2016; and Article 172 in relation to Article 171 of the RPC, as amended.

The bureau also filed administrative cases before the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) against the licensed customs brokers involved in the smuggling cases.

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