Customs seizes P20-M used luxury cars in MICP

SEIZED. A yellow Porsche Sportscar is among the secondhand high-end vehicles seized by officers of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on Oct. 20, 2020. The BOC on Monday (Nov. 2, 2020) said the shipment was initially declared as furniture but contains four high-end vehicles upon verification. (Photo courtesy of BOC via PNA)

MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday reported the seizure of four smuggled secondhand luxury vehicles worth PHP20 million.

In a statement, District Collector Romeo Allan Rosales said the shipment containing a Porsche Sportscar, Bentley Luxury Car, Mercedes Benz Sportscar, and a half-cut Volkswagen was seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on October 20.

The container was imported by Blue Core Enterprises and was initially declared as furniture but discovered to contain high-end cars upon verification through profiling and examination.

The shipment arrived at the MICP on October 16.

Rosales has issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the vehicles.

The importer is now under investigation and may face charges for violation of Section 1400 in relation with Section 1113 of Republic Act (RA) 10863, commonly known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Specifically, the importation of secondhand vehicles is strictly prohibited in the Philippines.

“The MICP is committed to preventing the illegal entry of items into the country and under the guidance of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the Port shall continue enforcing measures which shall protect the borders of its territories,” Rosales said.