Customs asks shop owner to show docs

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs in Cebu has asked the owner of a motorshop in Barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City to produce import documents until July 24 for the 12 multicabs found in the shop.

Customs personnel visited the shop by virtue of a letter of authority issued by Commissioner John Sevilla.

Part of the order is to seize the goods if the owner fails to produce evidence of payment duties and taxes.

“So far, under investigation pa to and we are giving the owner of the shop to present import documents and proof of payment of the taxes and duties until July 24, 2014,” said a Customs official, who requested not to be named.

The official said that importation of used truck parts is not illegal per se but is a regulated one, wherein only rebuilding centers accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry are allowed to import.

These accredited establishments have to get import clearance from the DTI prior to the arrival of their shipment, the official added.

The official clarified reports that they carried out a raid, saying that they only conducted visitation to verify reports and see if the duties and taxes for the truck parts used in the assembly of the multicabs have been paid already by the importer. — (FREEMAN)