The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted 12 smuggled vehicles declared falsely as car accessories, spotlighting persistent revenue leakage risks due to misdeclaration in Philippine ports.
According to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) director Verne Enciso, the shipments arrived last month at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) from the United States and were seized on 5 June after x-ray scans revealed undeclared motor vehicles.
The shipments, consigned to Danesh Consumer Goods Trading, included models such as a 2007 Mini Cooper S and multiple Honda Civics and S2000s, collectively valued at P10.8 million.
“This is a textbook case of misdeclaration—an attempt to defraud the government of rightful revenue,” said customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, citing violations under Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Rubio emphasized the BOC’s intent to file charges and intensify enforcement efforts, noting that “misdeclaration not only undermines government income but also distorts fair market conditions.”
The incident underscores BOC’s revenue protection mandate amid ongoing reforms to modernize port operations and strengthen border controls.
