A SHIPMENT from China declared as carbon wire by its importer turned out to be a backhoe and forklift after the container vans passed through the Bureau of Customs x-ray machine at the Port of Manila.
The backhoe and forklift were clandestinely placed inside a 40-footer container van, according to Maj. Jaybee Raul Cometa, head of the BoC’s X-Ray Inspection Project.
The bureau recommended the filing of criminal cases against the importer.
The shipment was owned by Upairi Trading, located on Beaterio Street, Intramuros, Manila.
Customs deputy commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the company’s owner and its broker could face smuggling charges.
“The shipment will be subjected to a thorough examination so we can get more information about its content,” Nepumuceno said.
“We recommend the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against Upairi Trading for possible violation of Section 1400 and Sec. 1401 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016,” he added.
He said the penalty for misdeclaration is imprisonment of not less than six years and one day but not more than 12 years, or a fine of not less than ₱1.5 million but not more than ₱15 million or both.
“The appraised value of the shipment, including duties and taxes, is less than ₱50 million,” he said.