BOC files raps vs 5 importers

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday filed five cases against major importers of steel, stainless, and agricultural products as part of efforts to curb smuggling.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) cases against officers of Sonic Steel Industries Inc. for unlawful importation and fictitious re-exportation of cold rolled steel coils and prime cold rolled steel coils valued at P3.5 billion.

Others charged by the BOC were officers and brokers of Harbor Speed International in Ermita, Manila; Blue Harbor Commercial, also in Ermita; and RLNB Trading in Sampaloc, Manila for bringing in 14 containers of onions worth P6 million which were misdeclared as microphones and accessories.

The fifth company charged was Countless Trading which regularly made importations of various products like household appliances and office equipment that were misdeclared in 243 import entries from January to June last year.

Warehouse items declaration

Alvarez said Sonic had routinely declared their various importations between January and December as warehousing entries.

The Tariff and Customs Code provides that any imported material used in the manufacture of articles in bonded manufacturing warehouses is not subject to duties and taxes on condition that the finished products are re-exported to another country and that materials not used in the manufacture of the articles shall be assessed the corresponding duties and taxes.

However, Alvarez said the BOC has evidence that the importers submitted false documents to justify their insignificant volume of re-exportation vis-à-vis the actual volume of steel products brought in over a period of one year.

He said the average rejects and wastages declared by Sonic   constituted an average of 40 percent of the actual quantity of steel products the company transported to their bonded manufacturing warehouses.

Alvarez said 14 containers of onions were also seized for being imported without the required Plant Quarantine Clearance and Import Permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry.