BOC intercepts P4-M worth of chemical refrigerants from China with no DENR permit

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted a 20-feet container van which had P4 million worth of chemical refrigerants which did not have the necessary clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Environmental Management Bureau.

According to the BOC, the 1,150 units of Koman refrigerants arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) from China on September 7.

The container, intercepted by the Environmental Protection and Compliance Division of the BOC, was consigned to Barcolair Philippines Inc. and was processed by Customs broker Alex Talaboc Bayot, the BOC said in a press statement on Wednesday.

“Based on DENR records, the importer has neither renewed their registration as an importer nor secured a PSIC resulting in the interception of their goods,” according to BOC.

The bureau also said the shipment was intercepted for violation of Section 117 in relation to Section 1113 of the Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and the Customs Memorandum Order No. 9-2015 in relation to RA 6969 and EMB Memorandum Circular Order No. 2005-03.

“EMB MC 2005-03 requires all importers of chemicals that are alternatives to ozone-depleting substances to register with EMB and must secure a Pre-Shipment Importation Clearance (PSIC) before the entry of such chemicals into the country,” the BOC said. /muf