BOC uncovers ₱86.7M in abandoned red onion shipment

The Manila Times

BOC uncovers ₱86.7M in abandoned red onion shipment

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) discovered 26 containers of abandoned fresh red onions from China worth an estimated ₱86.7 million, preventing their release into the local market amid concerns over food safety and the potential impact on Filipino onion farmers during the peak harvest season. Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, joined by Senator Francis Pangilinan, inspected the shipments on Wednesday as part of the agency’s intensified campaign against irregular agricultural importations. The abandoned cargo consisted of 72,215 bags of fresh red onions with a manifested gross weight of 650,000 kilograms. BOC officials estimated the market value of the shipments at ₱86.684 million. Records also showed that the cargo carried total duties and taxes amounting to ₱9.648 million. Of that amount, ₱9.074 million remained unpaid, contributing to the decision to declare the shipments abandoned. The case stemmed from a verification conducted by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP). Customs authorities sought confirmation from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture regarding the status of the imported onions and the permits issued for their entry. The BPI confirmed that import permits had been granted but noted that the consignee failed to process and claim the shipments within the prescribed period. Because of the cargo's prolonged stay at the port, agricultural authorities warned that the integrity and quality of the onions may have already deteriorated, making them potentially unfit for human consumption. The BPI further recommended that the shipments should not be released to the local market, saying their entry would coincide with the peak harvest season and could adversely affect the livelihood of local onion farmers. Further verification showed that the shipments had unclaimed and unpaid entries, prompting customs authorities to issue an abandonment decree for failure to comply with Sections 1129(c) and (d) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. “We will continue to act on all reports involving suspicious, unclaimed, or abandoned shipments, especially agricultural products that may affect our farmers, consumers, and legitimate traders. The BOC remains steadfast in enforcing the law with transparency and accountability,” Nepomuceno said. The Customs chief said the agency will continue strengthening intelligence-driven enforcement operations under the Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) Movement, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to combat smuggling, protect local industries, and uphold good governance.

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