By DERCO ROSAL
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 21 containers of smuggled frozen mackerel from China at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) as part of a crackdown on illegal agricultural imports.
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) estimated the value of each container of frozen mackerel to be P8.5 million, bringing the total to P178.5 million.
On Oct. 16, the CIIS of the port recommended issuing a pre-lodgement control order on 21 containers of frozen mackerel from China, following reports of suspicious information regarding the shipments.
In a statement, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said the control order request was made due to concerns about misclassification, misdeclaration, and undeclared goods in the shipment.
Rubio emphasized that protecting the agricultural sector is as important to the bureau's mission as preventing illegal drugs and other contraband from entering the borders of the country.
“Keeping smuggled agricultural products off our local markets ensures fair competition in the domestic market. It also keeps the costs of goods down," Rubio explained.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso reported that the 21 unclaimed containers of frozen mackerel arrived at the MICP last month, prompting inquiries to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) about importation requirements and the consignee’s SPS Import Clearance (SPSIC) status.
BFAR then confirmed that the importer, Pacific Sealand Foods Corporation, did not apply for mackerel importation between August 30 and September 16.
As reported by the BOC, subsequent applications were rejected after the Department of Agriculture (DA) suspended the issuance of clearance for importing round scad, mackerel, and bonito.
Enciso stated that they are currently gathering information on the consignee of the shipments and preparing legal cases, pointing out the need for better coordination among government agencies involved in the seizure.
“The consignee may face charges of violating Sections 117 and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to DA Memorandum Order No. 14, series of 2024, and other existing DA regulations,” the BOC stated.