SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Bureau of Customs – Port of Subic seized P38.1-million worth of misdeclared fake cigarettes last week at this port.
The shipment was declared as assorted textile from China. Prior to the filing of goods declaration, the port has already issued Pre-Lodgment Control Order No. P/SUBIC/20210329-00003 against the subject shipment as it was suspected to contain counterfeit cigarettes.
After an in-depth examination conducted by the assigned examiner, the shipment was found to contain several boxes of both Fortune and Mighty brand cigarettes and some brand-new clothes.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) order was issued against the subject shipment for violation of National Tobacco Administration (NTA) Memorandum Circular No. 03, series of 2004 and NTA Board Resolution No. 079-2005 and Sec. 155 of R.A. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines), in relation to Section 1113 (f) of Republic Act No. 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The seizure was the result of the Port’s relentless efforts to secure the national borders against illicit trade and other customs fraud, BOC Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin said.
To date, the said shipment has already been forfeited in favor of the government and will now be subjected to disposal.
(Photo credit: BOC-Port of Subic)