Customs bureau seizes parcel containing exotic pests

Bureau of Customs (BOC) seizes pests from Thailand at the Sub-Port of Central Mail Exchange Center of PHLPost on November 13, 2023. BOC made the announcement on Monday, November 20, 2023. (Photo from BOC)

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized misdeclared items from Thailand that turned out to be pests.

The discovery took place at the Sub-Port of Central Mail Exchange Center of Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) in Pasay city on November 13.

BOC on Monday said 50 isopods (woodlice) and different types of insects and small marine animals were found in a parcel through x-ray scanning.

The parcel was tagged as candies.

The pests were confiscated as the parcel did not have import clearance from Bureau of Plant Industry.

The importation violated plant quarantine regulations, and tariff and customs laws, said the bureau.

“The Bureau of Customs pledges to prevent smuggling and protect the country’s borders against threats, including exotic pests, through strict border controls and reforms,” BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement.