The Bureau of Customs is stepping up enforcement against abandoned and aging perishable shipments, warning importers that and consignees to immediately settle duties, complete requirements, and withdraw cargo or face delinquency proceedings.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has ordered the issuance of Notices of Delinquency with Final Demand covering unpaid, unclaimed, or ok unwithdrawn shipments that have exceeded allowable storage periods.
The move aims to tighten accountability while unclogging ports and speeding up cargo release nationwide.
At the center of the crackdown are perishable goods that too often sit forgotten in storage yards, turning from food imports into disposal problems.
Authorities said prolonged port dwell time not only leads to spoilage but also contributes to congestion and inefficiencies in the supply chain.
The policy push gained urgency after a June 10 joint inspection by Nepomuceno and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan at the Manila International Container Port, where officials found 26 abandoned containers of fresh red onions. Many had already sprouted or deteriorated after weeks of inactivity.
Nepomuceno said the directive is both a revenue protection measure and a food logistics safeguard, stressing that importers must act promptly once shipments are cleared. District collectors have also been instructed to submit monitoring reports every 15 days to strengthen oversight.
The crackdown aligns with broader efforts to reduce port congestion, shorten cargo dwell time, and ensure essential food imports reach consumers faster and in better condition.
