By BETHEENA KAE UNITE
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) seized Tuesday some P17.5 million misdeclared shipments containing goods such as fake watches, shoes, used clothing, rice, and heavy equipment at the Port of Manila.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said four shipments that came from China were uncovered during inspection.
A shipment containing two pallets of rice and large picture frames were declared as resins. It was consigned to ACC Trading with office address at 1600 Juan Luna Cor. Tello St., Tondo, Manila. Lapeña revealed that Rolando Quingquing Marfil acted as the customs broker of ACC Trading.
Fake Casio G-shock watches and shoes were also found in the shipment that was only declared as handicraft paper decoration. It was consigned to Alcambaras Trading Corporation with office address at 6-B Matimyas House, 1688 M.H. Del Pilar St., Malate, Manila. The shipment was processed by customs broker Manolet Camaclang.
Several used clothing were discovered in a shipment that was supposedly containing bed linens. The shipment was consigned to Melwinjay Trading with office address at Rm. 418C, First United Bldg., Escolta St., Binondo, Manila.
Customs officials said Melwinjay hired Samuel Perez as their customs broker.
During x-ray inspection, two misdeclared heavy equipment were found in a shipment declared as machinery parts and accessories.
The shipment was consigned to Pricewater Trading with office address at 3F RJV Building National Highway, Biñan, Laguna. It was processed by Samson Rivas Gabisan.
Lapeña said the consignees violated Section 1400 of the CMTA, Intellectual Property Law, and Republic Act (RA) 4653 which prohibits the importation of used clothing.