BOC: All tax-free imports will be X-rayed to foil 'swing' smuggling
All tax-free importations will undergo mandatory X-ray scanning as part of the Bureau of Customs' efforts to stop smuggling in export zones and freeports.
“We will never allow the export and freeport zones to be used by smugglers as conduits for their illegal activities,” said Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.
Last month, the Bureau's X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP) personnel assigned to the BOC-Port of Cebu District Office thwarted an attempt to smuggle white Thailand sugar worth over P7 million through the Mactan Economic Processing Zone in Lapu-Lapu City.
“The consignees of this sugar shipment deliberately misdeclared their shipment to avoid the required SRA [Sugar Regulatory Authority] permit, a government measure to avoid the flooding of the local market with imported sugar to protect the interest of the local sugar industry,” said Biazon.
The consignee, Muramoto Audio Visual, declared in its import entry that the shipments contained plastic parts for eyeglasses.
XIP head Lourdes Mangaoang said the attempt is a method of smuggling known as “swing.”
“The swing is the worst form of smuggling because those who are behind it conspire with one another to spirit the goods out of customs zones under the guise of tax-free importation. The swingers leave the government with nothing,” she said.
Biazon also ordered the Cebu District Office to investigate the smuggling attempt. — BM, GMA News
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