MANILA: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 7 container vans from China misdeclared as paper utensils and T-shirts, but apparently contained 360 kilos of mercury estimated to cost P1.8 million ($40,277.47), and various painkillers, apart from knock-off footwear and apparel.
“Almost all the items in the shipments are illegal importations. Mercury and all medicines are regulated items that require permits from other government agencies,” said Dellosa.
The shipments were consigned to Greyvoid Corporation and Thunderdragon Foods and Agricultural Products Import Export Corporation, according to Deputy Customs Commissioner Jessie Dellosa.
Seized at the Manila International Container Port, the cargoes also included syringes of sodium hyaluronate that bear no English labels or product inserts, according to Dellosa, who is the head of BOC’s intelligence group.
The apparel, meanwhile, were counterfeit items of brands Havaianas, Keds, Sandugo, Abercrombie and Fitch, Polo Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry, and Giordano.
“We also believe that all the clothing with fake brands are meant as additional stocks for the holidays,” he said.
The Philippines bans the entry of counterfeit items, but many illegal shipments manage to enter the ports through erring importers and customs brokers.
