BOC seizes more than 2,000 misdeclared ornamental plants
MANILA, Philippines — More than 2,000 misdeclared ornamental live plants were seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at a Parañaque City warehouse on Wednesday.
The BOC-Port of NAIA said the shipment, which arrived at the Paircargo warehouse last Wednesday, May 19, was reported to contain only 100 pieces of live ornamental plants.
“However, physical examination thereof instead yielded 2,032 pieces of various ornamental plants including Alocasia, Aglaonema, Pothos, Calathea, Philodendron, Crimson, Monstera, Cactus, Sanseveria, and Rubber Plant,” the BOC said in a statement.
Aside from violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act for misdeclaration, the shipment also failed to secure a plant quarantine permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry.
The BOC said the seized ornamental plants were immediately turned over to the Bureau of Plant Industry “for quarantine and immediate disposal to prevent the spread of possible plant diseases and pests that can severely affect local agriculture.”
Ornamental plant importers are reminded by the BOC that a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Plant Industry is required for the importation of plants.
