‘Technically-smuggled’ grader, parts, seized in Cebu

On Aug 26, 2021

The P2.2 million brand-new motor grader ordered seized by Port of Cebu district collector, Charlito Mendoza last August 20, 2021, after it was misdeclared as “used” by the consignee to evade payment of the correct duties and taxes to the government. During actual examination, however, the grader was proven to be brand-new (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

THE Port of Cebu seized last August 20, 2021, a shipment of a brand-new motor grader and its parts worth more than P2.2 million for ‘technical smuggling.’

Acting district collector Charlito Martin Mendoza, in a belated report to Comm. Rey Leonardo Guerrero on August 26, 2021, said he issued an ‘WSD’ (warrant of seizure and detention) against the shipment consigned to VRB Construction Supply after the 100-percent examination revealed it was brand-new, and not “used motor grader and parts,” as declared in the customs declaration.

The offense is tantamount to misdeclaration and one of the ruses being employed by some importers and customs brokers to evade the payment of the correct duties and taxes to the government.

“Time and again, we remind the importers to properly declare their goods.

“The Port employs several layers of examination, from profiling, document-checking, x-ray scanning, to physical examination to ensure that the correct amounts of duties and taxes are collected.

“We will not hesitate in issuing a warrant of seizure and detention against imports whose (customs) declarations vary from their actual contents,” Mendoza said.