The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Subic has recently intercepted illegal shipments of agricultural products and cigarettes, with a combined value of approximately PhP 136.59 million.

On August 15, 2024, five 40-foot containers said to contain 13,250 cartons of frozen fish egg balls, with an estimated value of PhP 21 million. However, the shipment was made the subject of a verification request from the BOC’s Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax R. Uy, and led to issuance of Alert Order against the same on August 22, 2024.

Upon physical examination thereof on August 28, 2024, Customs officials discovered that the containers actually contained fresh carrots and yellow onions instead of frozen fish egg balls. Likewise, the shipment lacked necessary documentation, including the requisite Certificate of Product Registration from the FDA, a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certificate, and proper declaration of the actual contents, breaching multiple regulatory measures such as DOH FDA Administrative Order No. 2020-0017, Department of Agriculture Circular No. 4, Series of 2016, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), particularly Sections 1400 and 1113 (f). Warrants of Seizure and Detention were promptly issued against the subject shipment and the forfeiture proceedings are ongoing.

Additionally, on September 6, 2024, 1,986 master cases of cigarettes from Taiwan, valued at approximately PhP 115.5 million, were discovered in two 40-foot containers. The shipment was falsely described as containing “Packages Tissue” (household items). This misrepresentation violated several regulations, including the National Tobacco Administration’s Circular No. 03 Series of 2004 and Bureau of Internal Revenue Circular No. 79-2022, relating to Section 1113 (f) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

On September 11, 2024, Deputy Commissioner Uy, Port of Subic District Collector Atty. Ricardo U. Morales II, CESE, Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and other officials conducted a re-inspection of the intercepted agricultural products.

District Collector Morales emphasized the port’s commitment in enforcing import regulations, stating, “We are determined to prevent misdeclared and smuggled goods from entering the country. Our stringent inspection protocols ensure compliance with the law, and we will take necessary action against violators.”

The BOC – Port of Subic continues its vigilance in upholding import regulations and protecting public health, in line with Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio’s 5-Point Priority Program.