MANILA, Philippines - Some P31.8 million worth of allegedly misdisclared goods consigned to four companies were confiscated by Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives at a Manila port on Friday.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said among the items seized were P6.8 million worth of outboard motors and motor oils declared as motor parts by importer Scan Marine Inc.

Extreme Five Trading Corp. also tried to pass off 2,520 cartons of various types of candies worth P1 million as food additives, while Telsphere Intl Trading Corp. declared P4.4 million worth of kilowatt-hour meters as vacuum heaters.

Meanwhile, P20 million worth of equipment from China loaded in two container vans consigned to W.A. Bitnacor Enterprises were issued alert orders by the BOC. The equipment, which included control panel, thermometer, fittings, boilers, reactors and valves were supposedly for an illegal drugs manufacturing laboratory.

“I have instructed all BOC frontline officials to scrutinize thoroughly all importation documents for any sign or indication of misdeclaration or undervaluation to ensure that appropriate taxes are collected by the government,” Biazon said.
 
“We have a higher collection target to meet this year. This is the reason why I have ordered all our frontline people to be even more vigilant to facilitate higher collection and to ensure that no contraband goods such as drugs are able to enter the country,” he added.