Bureau of Customs – Port of Legazpi on July 20, 2022, took over 52 bundles of misdeclared imported used clothes or “ukay-ukay”, which were seized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)- Sorsogon at Matnog Port in Sorsogon on July 13.

The PCG seized a total of 72 bundles of ukay-ukay loaded in a 10-wheeler wing van truck while in transit from Manila to General Santos City. However, as of July 21, 2022, there are remaining 20 bundles to be turned over and the wing van truck was not seized by the PCG. Per inventory, the 52 bundles have an estimated value of P500,000.00.

The importation or transit of used clothing or ukay-ukay violates of R.A. 4653 or “An 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” and Sections 118, 1113, and 1401 of R.A. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Through the joint operation of BOC and PCG-Sorsogon, P6.8M worth of ukay-ukay were seized since November 2021.

Collector Arthur G. Sevilla, Jr. applauds PCG-Sorsogon in effectively carrying out their functions and vows to maintain strong partnership and coordination for the intensification of border control.