Smuggling raps vs ‘ukay-ukay’ importers
MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) smuggling charges against importers and brokers of P60 million worth of used clothing, popularly known as “ukay-ukay.”
Luisa Villa Pascual, owner of Great Circles Trading, and Jessie Carlos Dionisio, owner of Farold International, were charged with violation of Sections 3601 and 3602 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP), as amended, and Republic Act No. 4652 or “An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation Through the Prohibition of Used Clothing and Rags.”
The shipment of Great Circles Trading came in one 40-foot container declared as “scales toys and other merchandise” but was found to contain used clothing approximately valued at around P7.5 million.
The other shipment from Farold International came in seven 40-foot containers declared as “machinery spare parts, pneumatic tools, hardware items, school supplies and scales toys and other merchandise.” It was later found to contain used clothing, used books, used bags and used shoes valued approximately at P52.5 million.
