BOC in Subic seizes P15M smuggled veggies from China

Officials of the Bureau of Customs in Subic Port and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) inspect the fresh vegetables from China confiscated for violation of customs and agriculture laws. (Photo courtesy of SBMA)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT––At least P15 million worth of fresh vegetables smuggled from China were confiscated Thursday, Oct. 14, in this freeport, officials said.

Citing reports from the Bureau of Customs-Port of Subic, Wilma Eisma, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chair and administrator, said the fresh vegetables were found inside five 40-footer container vans declared to contain assorted frozen vegetables.

Eisma said the shipment was consigned to Saturnus Corp., an importer based in Metro Manila.

Authorities in this freeport initially flagged on Oct. 3 the shipment for non-compliance with the approved sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC) on temperature requirement and ingress of non-importable fresh vegetables.

Eisma said the shipment contained chilled fresh vegetables considered illegal for importation into the country. These included various fresh produce such as water bamboos, mushrooms, broccoli, and other vegetables.

The shipment was also found to contain undeclared agricultural products like sweet oats, she added.

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