BOC seizes luxury cars at Manila port

Some seven used but expensive vehicles from Japan worth about P20 million were seized by Customs agents at the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port yesterday.

Bureau of Customs chief Renato Ampil said the vehicles were a gray four wheel drive Nissan Terrano V6; two 1997 Toyota Master Ace Surfs valued at P5 million; a Mercedes Benz and a Mitsubishi Pajero of still undetermined model worth P7 million, all at the Manila port; and one 1989 Cherokee valued at P2.5 million and a Ford Escort from MICP.

The Tariff and Customs code of the Philippines prohibits the importation of used cars. The intercepted contraband was held for misdeclaration, undervaluation and lack of the necessary import permits, Ampil said.

Other items like truck and car replacement parts and engines were used to conceal the undeclared units found in several 40-foot container vans.

Other merchandise estimated at some P15 million were also held for violation of various Customs laws.

The merchandise consisted of electrical appliances, personal effects, scrap office equipment and banned used clothing. – Jerry Botial