MANILA: The Bureau of Customs is investigating a Manila-based firm that imported 196 containers filled with grocery and household items, to determine if it committed fraud for not describing its shipments in detail for proper valuation.
The BOC’s Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group will also look into past importations made by Luisitano Inc. for possible violations of Customs rules and regulations.
“I will ask somebody to back-track on this,” Deputy Commissioner Agaton Uvero said in an email interview.
Uvero explained that the Fiscal Intelligence Unit of the Department of Finance is in charge of the post-entry audit functions, which include the validation of the accuracy of import declarations and duties paid by the firm for shipments already released.
AOCG has also referred the case to the agency’s Intelligence and Enforcement Group, which monitor shipments involving fraud.
Earlier, the Import Assessment Service under the AOCG recommended the suspension of 70 importers and 46 brokers for alleged violations of Customs Administrative Order No. 8-2007 and Customs Memorandum Order 28-2007.
Under the orders, importers and brokers are required to enumerate details such as specific product descriptions in import entries.
Luisitano’s importations turned up while BOC was looking into firms allegedly engaged in the “technical smuggling” of imported goods. The company is believed to be a supplier of retail chain stores Puregold and S&R.
Documents showed that Luisitano Inc. brought in 196 container vans filled with grocery and household items to the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last December 2014.
But the items were not fully detailed in its import entries. Some cargoes were only identified as health and beauty products and mixed groceries.
