BOC files complaints vs 2 companies for Customs law violations

Photo from the Bureau of Customs

MANILA, Philippines —  The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed two criminal complaints before the Department of Justice against two companies for alleged violation of Customs laws.

The BOC said in a statement on Wednesday that a case was filed against Zachary Agricultural Trading for the alleged unlawful importation of 1,992 bags of onions without permit or clearance required by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The goods worth P925,131 were shipped into the country on April 2 at the Port of Davao, according to the bureau.

According to BOC, the importer violated the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the DA’s Strengthened Guidelines in Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Production and Importation of Onion and Garlic.

Meanwhile, another case was filed against the employees of Happy Chef Inc. for the alleged unauthorized “disarming” of electronic customs seals under the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo system.

The container was found to be “disarmed” on November 13 last year at the Happy Chef Inc. warehouse without an end trip authorization from the BOC’s Piers and Inspection Division.

Both cases were filed last June 11, according to the BOC.

The BOC said a total of 42 criminal cases have been filed before the DOJ this year against “unscrupulous” importers and customs brokers. Sofia Vertucio, Inquirer trainee

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