Petrochem group lauds Customs

A business organization that represents major players in the country’s petrochemical industry lauded efforts of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in curbing smuggling activities, particularly of imported resins.

"We can see that the new Bureau of Customs leadership is truly working hard to curb smuggling as evidenced by two large hauls of imported resins that have been grossly and blatantly misdeclared," said Willie Paras, president of the Association of Petrochemical Manufacturers of the Philippines (APMP).

The BOC Intelligence and Enforcement Group led by COO III Eva Castaneda, and officers-on-case M. Lazarte, L. Dinglasan and A. Morales, seized six 40-foot containers containing 5,940 bags of homoploymer polypropylene totaling 148,500 kilos. Such products, which carry a duty of 15 percent, were misdeclared as "Qurain" which has a much lower duty of three percent.

The shipment from Kuwait was consigned to Emperor Manufacturing Corp., with address at #3084 Gumamela st. Valenzuela. It arrived at the Manila International Container port on board the MV Perma Bridge. After inspection, a warrant of seizure and detention was immediately issued against the entire shipment.

Another attempt at "technical smuggling", was foiled by Customs officers C. Buhay, R. Daculug and R. Reyes who upon conducting an inspection on board the MV Asian Pegasus from Taiwan, discovered four 40-foot containers which turned out to be 3,960 bags of synthetic resins with duties of 15 percent. The shipment was misdeclared as "lighter parts" which are subject to only five percent in duties. The shipment was consigned to Quintara Enterprises of #2187 Revellin st. Sta Ana Manila.

Paras pointed out that it is evident the BOC has stepped up its drive against technical smuggling of imported resins – a crime that he said has been hurting the local industry and deprived government of millions in revenues.

"Smuggling of such products through Customs bonded warehouses is really hurting the industry and endangers the livelihood of many workers that is why we are glad that Customs is going all-out in helping the petrochemical industry deal with a problem that threatens our viability," Paras said.