The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed a total of 166 criminal and administrative cases against errant importers and customs brokers last year, the agency said in a statement yesterday
The BOC said its anti-smuggling efforts, in coordination with other government agencies, resulted in the filing of 103 criminal cases from January to December 2021 against 309 individuals composed of importers and customs brokers for violations of the Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and other pertinent laws.
Similarly, 63 administrative cases were filed against licensed customs brokers before the Professional Regulation Commission.
The BOC also said the cases involved the unlawful importation of cigarettes valued at P897.1 million; agricultural products valued at P293.9 million; general merchandise amounting to almost P253.2 million; medicines valued at P57.1 million; motor vehicles valued at P49.1 million; and other commodities valued at P63.1 million, among others.
“Further, criminal cases due to unlawful removal and disarming of electronic customs seals were also filed against erring individuals,” the BOC said.
Earlier, the bureau said it revoked the accreditation of 690 importers and 220 customs brokers last year, as they were found to have violated the provisions of the CMTA.
The BOC added the revocation is part of its continuous monitoring and post-evaluation of importers and brokers.
The BOC also reported it exceeded its collection target in 2021 by 4.7 percent.
According to the BOC’s preliminary report, it collected a total of P645.77 billion against its target of P616.75 billion.
The amount generated is even higher than the pre-pandemic collection of P630.31 billion in 2019, as well as the P537.7 billion collected in 2020.
The agency said 13 out of the 17 collection districts exceeded their target for 2021, namely, the Port of San Fernando, Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port, Port of NAIA, Port of Batangas, Port of Legaspi, Port of Iloilo, Port of Surigao, Port of Zamboanga, Port of Davao, Port of Subic, Port of Clark and Port of Limay. – Angela Celis
