The Customs bureau has heightened its alert against the so-called anti-social goods such as firecrackers, substandard Christmas lights and decorations, and used clothing which are expected to arrive for the holiday season.
The close watch is also doubled against plastic toys with high lead paint content, gun replicas and frozen meat products that may pose health risks.
According to Customs officials, the “ber months” period is critical for the agency because unscrupulous traders will try to find the opportunity to sneak in their illegal goods in time with the high volume of imports at the ports.
Shipments intended for the holiday season will start coming in from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Last Thursday, Subic port collector lawyer Rhea Gregorio led the destruction of P1.5 million worth of used clothing, locally known as ukay-ukay, and other abandoned goods in Guiguinto, Bulacan.
The prohibited items were shredded and disposed of at Epy Eco Auction and Waste Disposal Services, the accredited service provider of the Port of Subic for the condemnation of contrabands and abandoned goods.
Gregorio said the used clothing and used tires as well as the assorted merchandise were abandoned by the consignees and have been consequently forfeited in favor of the government.
¨While the commercial proliferation of ‘ukay-ukay’ and ‘used tires’ is popular, the law prohibits its importation as provided by the Republic Act 4653 (RA 4653),” said Gregorio.
RA 4653 entitled “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” prohibits the importation of ukay-ukay while the Letter of Instruction No. 1086, s. 1980 prohibits the importation of used tires.
The importation of “ukay-ukay” (used clothes) was also banned to protect the consumers from the risk of catching contagious diseases from contaminated smuggled used clothing smuggled from abroad.
Aside from the health risks that come with the importation of used clothing, the local garment manufacturing industry is also complaining that the proliferation of “ukay-ukay” in the local market is affecting the viability of their industry.
Some industry stakeholders blame the proliferation of “ukay-ukay” in the local market as one of the reasons why some local garments manufacturing companies closed down.
“On an overall perspective, we are not only helping secure the health of Filipinos by apprehending all imported used clothing, but we are also helping secure the local garments manufacturing industry,” said Gregorio.
Manila International Container Port chief intelligence officer Alvin Enciso said they will continue to be vigilant vigilant against smuggling in the coming months to ensure that all duties and taxes are being paid for increased volume of imports that arrive at the ports for the holidays.
He added that agency personnel were also alerted to make sure that all incoming shipments complied with the required clearances, certificates and permits from other regulating government agencies and foreign suppliers as required by law.
Enciso advised importers to secure product registration, and license to import and operate before bringing the articles into the country.
Firecrackers, owing to their explosive characteristics are classified as regulated importations and are required to secure import entries from the National Police fire and explosive division prior to importation, and these should adhere to the safety standards set by the government.
The absence of such clearance will automatically deem the shipment as contraband subject to seizure, forfeiture and subsequent destruction.
Consignees of Christmas lights shipment should likewise secure a clearance from the Department of Trade and Industry.
Philippine standard requires the use of seven stranded wires in Christmas lights. These are thicker and safer as they help prevent overheating, especially during extended use.
Shipment of gun replicas, which may be used to commit crimes this Christmas season, needs a permit from Camp Crame prior to importation, while frozen meat products required clearance from the Bureau of Animal Industry.
The Customs will also inspect plastic toys to determine if the imported goods are safe for children. If the toys are unsafe for children due to high lead paint content, the bureau will also place the shipment under the warrant of seizure and detention.
When shipments are declared to contain plastic toys, the Customs examiners usually make the call to open the shipment and take samples of the products to be tested from an independent private laboratory.
Authorities said children who ingest lead-laced paint can suffer brain damage, while the improper disposal of lead-based paint can damage the environment.