The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Cebu seized forty-two (42) containers of mature coconuts, a banned export product, last Saturday, December 11, 2021. The overall export value of the two shipments bound for China is estimated at Php232 Million.

Export declarations filed with the Port declared the shipments to contain paper waste. Acting upon a derogatory information received by SP/Lt. Roland J. Biteng and SA1 Ronald M. Magbanua of the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), the Port immediately scheduled a spot check. Customs Trade Control Examiner Ma. Theresa S. Ricalde and the representatives from the ESS and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service conducted the examination in the presence of the exporter’s agent. The examination confirmed the derogatory information.

Finding probable cause, District Collector Charlito Martin R. Mendoza immediately issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention against the export shipments based on Section 1113 (f) and (l) (3), (4), and (5) in relation to Section 118 (g) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Executive Order No. 1016 series of 1985, and Resolution of the Inter-Agency Committee on Executive Order No. 1016 dated 19 June 1992 listing mature coconuts among the prohibited products for exportation.

Immediately upon forfeiture, the mature coconuts shall be turned over to the Philippine Coconut Authority.

The recent seizure is in line with the thrust of the Bureau of Customs under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero to secure the country’s borders from illegal exportation to protect domestic industries and local farmers.