Customs suspends 70 importers, 46 brokers for violations

MANILA, Philippines – The accreditations of 70 importers and 46 brokers were suspended indefinitely for violations of Customs rules and regulations, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced Thursday, March 6.

Among the suspended importers were some of the country’s notable companies such as Globe Telecom Inc., as well as those allegedly involved in rice smuggling.

Lawyer Jemina Sy-Flores, head of the newly created Account Management Office (AMO) of the bureau, said the importers were suspended for not describing their shipments in detail, which was considered “technical smuggling.”

Flores said the companies violated Customs Administrative Order No. 8-2007 and Customs Memorandum Order 28-2007, which require imported goods to be described in detail for proper valuation and tariff classification. The make, model, variant and brands of goods must be disclosed in import entries.

“IAS (Import Assessment Service) has been tasked to monitor these. I believe they sent notices and warnings but… they still did not comply that’s why these were recommended for suspension,” she said.

The companies that were suspended include Globe and its broker Rolando Quiambao, a director of the Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc.; Nexus Technologies Inc. and its broker Walter Lomonsod; Star Footwear Inc. and its broker Dante Frago; and Universal Steel Smelting Company Inc. and its broker Mario Botona.

Bold Bidder Marketing and Merchandise and Inter-continental Grains, the firms being investigated by BOC for alleged rice smuggling, were also suspended.

“If they have pending shipments and these left the port of origin before they were suspended, we could still process [them],” Flores said.

Customs’ list of accredited importers is believed to be plagued with fake and erring companies. The AMO is purging the list.

Under a new regulation of the AMO, importers are required to secure accreditation from the Bureau of Internal Revenue before they can import goods through the BOC. – Rappler.com