Customs seizes P8.65-M worth of gluta, beauty products from Thailand

The Bureau of Customs INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Bureau of Customs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) said yesterday it seized a cargo containing about P8.65 million worth of glutathione and other beauty products that were declared as personal effects.

Customs District Collector Vincent Philip Maronilla said the shipment that comprised 48 cartons arrived in two batches on board flights from Bangkok, Thailand last February 13.

Maronilla said the shipment, which weighed more than 2,000 kilos combined, was issued an alert order after the beauty products were detected by x-ray.

He identified the consignee as James Malinao Halasan of Kamuning, Quezon City and the customs broker as one Isagani Cortez.  The BoC has sent the summonses to Halasan and Cortez to explain the violation.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, who went to NAIA to inspect the shipments, said that the consignee violated the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

Lapeña said Halasan and Cortez could be charged with violation of Section 1400 of Republic Act 10863 or the Tarrif and Customs Code, for the misdeclaration. /jpv