Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno led the inspection of five containers of misdeclared frozen agricultural products and foodstuffs from China on 21 July 2026. The shipments have a total estimated value of ₱23.27 million, including ₱6.24 million in duties and taxes, highlighting the government’s strengthened efforts against agricultural smuggling and illegal importation in close coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The shipments were flagged through Customs intelligence, risk assessment, and profiling, resulting in the issuance of three (3) Pre-Lodgment Control Orders (PLCOs) and two (2) Alert Orders. Initially declared to contain various food products, including Fu Hua Lao Jiang Brand Classic Squid Ball, Fish Tofu, Fish Roe Balls, and Qianye Tofu, among others, the shipments underwent 100% physical examination.
The inspection uncovered assorted misdeclared and illegally imported frozen agricultural products, including peeled chicken breast, skinless chicken breast, frozen pigeon, Peking duck, frozen duck meat, and other frozen food items. The shipments have an estimated value of ₱17,030,697.28, with corresponding duties and taxes amounting to ₱6,238,192.46, for a total value of ₱23,268,889.74.
Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized the BOC’s commitment to enforcing customs laws while strengthening coordination with the DA in preventing the entry of illegally imported agricultural commodities that threaten food safety, biosecurity, and the livelihood of local farmers and producers.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Secretary Francisco Laurel at sa buong Department of Agriculture sa kanilang patuloy na pakikipagtulungan sa Bureau of Customs sa laban kontra agricultural smuggling. Ang mga operasyong tulad nito ay patunay na mas nagiging epektibo ang ating pagpapatupad ng batas kapag magkatuwang ang ating mga ahensya,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said. “Hindi natin hahayaang makalusot ang mga produktong sadyang minamali ang deklarasyon upang umiwas sa mga regulasyon at kaukulang buwis. Mahalaga ang bawat huli tulad nito dahil hindi lamang nito pinoprotektahan ang ating ekonomiya at sektor ng agrikultura, kundi tinitiyak din nito ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino.”
Port of Manila District Collector Rizalino Jose C. Torralba issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSDs) against the five (5) shipments for violations of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013.
The seized shipments are likewise subject to investigation for possible violations of Republic Act No. 12022, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, as the aggregate value of the goods exceeds the ₱10 million threshold for large-scale agricultural smuggling.
The BOC remains committed to working closely with the Department of Agriculture and other partner agencies to strengthen border protection, combat agricultural smuggling, promote food security, and protect the welfare of Filipino farmers, consumers, and legitimate businesses.
