Photo by: Bureau of Customs
MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), has seized five container shipments of misdeclared frozen agricultural products and foodstuffs from China worth ₱23.27 million, underscoring the government’s continuing efforts to strengthen border enforcement, protect the domestic agriculture sector, and promote fair trade practices.
The operation, led by Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno on July 21, followed customs intelligence, risk assessment, and cargo profiling that resulted in the issuance of three Pre-Lodgment Control Orders (PLCOs) and two Alert Orders. The shipments subsequently underwent a 100% physical examination.
Initially declared to contain processed food products—including squid balls, fish tofu, fish roe balls, and Qianye tofu—the shipments were found to contain assorted frozen agricultural commodities that were either misdeclared or undeclared. These included peeled chicken breast, skinless chicken breast, frozen pigeon, Peking duck, frozen duck meat, and other frozen food products.
Photo by: Bureau of Customs
The BOC estimated the value of the seized goods at ₱17.03 million, with corresponding duties and taxes amounting to ₱6.24 million, bringing the total shipment value to ₱23.27 million.
Mr. Nepomuceno said the operation reflects the government’s intensified inter-agency campaign to curb agricultural smuggling, improve customs compliance, and prevent the entry of products that may pose risks to food safety, biosecurity, and the competitiveness of local agricultural producers.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Secretary Francisco Laurel at sa buong Department of Agriculture sa kanilang patuloy na pakikipagtulungan sa Bureau of Customs sa laban kontra agricultural smuggling. Ang mga operasyong tulad nito ay patunay na mas nagiging epektibo ang ating pagpapatupad ng batas kapag magkatuwang ang ating mga ahensya,” Mr. Nepomuceno said.
He added that the bureau remains firm in enforcing customs regulations against importers who misdeclare shipments to evade regulatory requirements and lawful duties and taxes.
Photo by: Bureau of Customs
The Port of Manila has issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSDs) covering the five shipments for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in relation to Republic Act No. 10611, or the Food Safety Act of 2013.
The shipments are also under investigation for possible violations of Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, after authorities determined that the aggregate value of the goods exceeded the ₱10-million threshold for large-scale agricultural smuggling.
The BOC said sustained coordination with the DA forms part of broader government efforts to enhance regulatory compliance, secure the country’s supply chain, and foster a level playing field for legitimate importers and domestic producers. The bureau added that stronger border enforcement supports food security objectives while helping preserve government revenues through the collection of correct duties and taxes.