Manila Bulletin
Philippines
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BOC takes custody of 51 luxury cars found in Pasig showroom raid
Philippines
National
BOC takes custody of 51 luxury cars found in Pasig showroom raid
BOC takes custody of 51 luxury cars found in Pasig showroom raid
Published Jul 27, 2023 09:20 am
A total of 51 high-end vehicles have been confiscated by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) following a raid on a car showroom in Pasig City.
BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said the confiscation of the expensive vehicles came after the owners failed to submit corresponding evidence of payment of correct duties and taxes for the luxury vehicles.
photo: BOC
The raid was conducted on July 4 in Pasig City where 197 imported and locally sourced vehicles were inspected for duties and taxes compliance. Of the figure, 87 of them were subjected to investigation due to questionable documents.
Rubio said that after the discovery of imported cars displayed and stored at the warehouse during the service of a Letter of Authority (LOA) on July 4, the registered individual owners were promptly notified and given 15 days to submit corresponding evidence of ownership and payment of correct duties and taxes.
“Registration documents of the subject motor vehicles were timely submitted, however, the owners of the subject 51 units of high-end motor vehicles failed to submit corresponding evidence of payment of correct duties and taxes within the mandated 15-day period,” said Rubio.
This resulted in the confiscation of the vehicles with the BOC saying that the action was based on the Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
photo: BOC
Out of these, BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso said 28 cars have already been transferred to the BOC – Port of Manila. The remaining 23, according to Enciso, are scheduled for transfer. “Without proper documents and permits, these motor vehicles’ presence on Philippine soil means they are either stolen or smuggled. Crimes don’t just happen in dark corners. It happens in brightly-lit showrooms like where our operation happened,” said Enciso. The BOC, however, said that the owners of the confiscated cars will be accorded further opportunity to submit corresponding evidence of payment of correct duties and taxes, proof of exemption from payment of duties and taxes, offer voluntary payment of correct duties and taxes, and/or offer of settlement or redemption. "Our primary goal is to protect the interests of the Filipino people, safeguarding the nation's revenue, and maintaining a fair and transparent trade environment,” said Rubio.
photo: BOC
For his part, BOC Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said that the seizure of the 51 units of high-end motor vehicles is a “reminder to all importers and dealerships to adhere to customs regulations and fulfill their duties and obligations promptly and responsibly.” “The BOC remains vigilant and dedicated to preventing any unlawful activities that may undermine the country's economic and financial stability,” said Uy.
photo: BOC
The raid was conducted on July 4 in Pasig City where 197 imported and locally sourced vehicles were inspected for duties and taxes compliance. Of the figure, 87 of them were subjected to investigation due to questionable documents.
Rubio said that after the discovery of imported cars displayed and stored at the warehouse during the service of a Letter of Authority (LOA) on July 4, the registered individual owners were promptly notified and given 15 days to submit corresponding evidence of ownership and payment of correct duties and taxes.
“Registration documents of the subject motor vehicles were timely submitted, however, the owners of the subject 51 units of high-end motor vehicles failed to submit corresponding evidence of payment of correct duties and taxes within the mandated 15-day period,” said Rubio.
This resulted in the confiscation of the vehicles with the BOC saying that the action was based on the Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
photo: BOC
Out of these, BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso said 28 cars have already been transferred to the BOC – Port of Manila. The remaining 23, according to Enciso, are scheduled for transfer. “Without proper documents and permits, these motor vehicles’ presence on Philippine soil means they are either stolen or smuggled. Crimes don’t just happen in dark corners. It happens in brightly-lit showrooms like where our operation happened,” said Enciso. The BOC, however, said that the owners of the confiscated cars will be accorded further opportunity to submit corresponding evidence of payment of correct duties and taxes, proof of exemption from payment of duties and taxes, offer voluntary payment of correct duties and taxes, and/or offer of settlement or redemption. "Our primary goal is to protect the interests of the Filipino people, safeguarding the nation's revenue, and maintaining a fair and transparent trade environment,” said Rubio.
photo: BOC
For his part, BOC Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said that the seizure of the 51 units of high-end motor vehicles is a “reminder to all importers and dealerships to adhere to customs regulations and fulfill their duties and obligations promptly and responsibly.” “The BOC remains vigilant and dedicated to preventing any unlawful activities that may undermine the country's economic and financial stability,” said Uy.