The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Cebu seized two units of brand new forklift from China which were misdeclared as second-hand on February 7. The misdeclaration resulted to a 110.96% discrepancy in duties and taxes.

Selected under Red Lane, the shipment was subjected to physical examination by assigned Customs Examiner Diadem Clare A. Salinas, together with the representatives from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service, X-Ray Inspection Project Team, Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc-Cebu Chapter, and Philippine Coast Guard. The examination yielded two units of brand-new forklift which was contrary to the importer’s declaration that the items were used.

District Collector Charlito Martin R. Mendoza immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipment after finding probable cause for violations of Section 1113 (F), (I), and (L-3,4, & 5) in relation to Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

This latest seizure is in line with the stringent efforts of the Bureau of Customs, under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, to strictly enforce border security measures to prevent tax leakages resulting from misdeclaration, misclassification, and undervaluation.