Customs disposes P.5 million worth of onions, apples

CEBU, Philippines — Half a million worth of imported onions and apples were “condemned” yesterday by the Bureau of Customs in Cebu.

The shipment from China was disposed due to the foul smell coming out from the two refrigerated container vans containing 5,000 kilos of onions and boxes of apples.

BOC-Cebu District Collector Elvira Cruz, in an order dated July 18 this year, ordered the disposal of the goods following the recommendations from Antonio Contioso, plant quarantine officer of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Plant Quarantine Service, and the Committee on Condemnation.

Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation requested BOC for the immediate removal of the reefer containers, which were emitting foul odor, as they may pose health hazards to their personnel and other stakeholders inside the Cebu International Port (CIP).

The imported products, which were declared unfit for human consumption, arrived at CIP on April 14 this year.

Elmer Bailio, chief of BOC’s Auction and Cargo Disposal Unit, said the consignee declared the goods as apples but there were onions in the cargoes.

Apples were used as camouflage to hide the misdeclared goods, he said.

The persons involved violated sections 117 of Republic Act 10863 or Misdeclaration, Misclassification, Undervaluation in Goods Declaration.

Under the law, Bailio said apples have zero tariffs while other agricultural products, such as onions have custom taxes and duties.

Imported onions are reportedly cheaper than local ones which are currently sold at P40 to P50 per kilo in the public markets.

Aside from misdeclaration and undervaluation of goods, the importer also failed to present import permits and abandoned the shipment. — KBQ (FREEMAN)