The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has announced alert orders were issued against P65 million worth of imported “ukay-ukay” or used clothing that recently entered the Port of Cebu.
Verne Enciso, chief of BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) in Cebu, said 26 containers of used clothes were placed under alert since its importation is prohibited under Customs laws for reasons of securing public safety.
Enciso recommended to Cebu Port collector Elvira Cruz the issuance of alert orders against the shipment in violation of Customs Tariff Decision Circular 01-2015.
The circular, signed by then BOC Commissioner Alberto Lina, conforms with Republic Act 4653, the act “to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile articles, commonly known as used clothing and rags.” (Raymund F. Antonio)