BOC releases P394-M worth of goods with no import permits

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has chided the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for processing and releasing 246 regulated commodities, including luxury cars worth P394.009 million, despite the lack of import permits and other supporting documents.

In its 2020 audit report on the BOC, the COA said a review of sample goods declaration submitted to two ports (Manila International Container Port and Port of Manila) showed that importations of regulated commodities with total assessed and paid duties and taxes of P394.009 million were processed by the ports without the required permits, licenses, and clearances.

State auditors said imported luxury vehicles worth P90.27 million were “assessed and released” without the necessary permits, clearance, certifications, and other required supporting documents.

The COA added that regulated commodities worth P303.73 million, which were imported, were released without the required license to operate, certificate of product registration, and an Electronic Authority to Release Imported Goods.