The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday, Feb. 7, presented to the media a container van loaded with fake cellphones and other electronic products worth P20 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
Seized were hundreds of fake iPhone 6 and 7 and Samsung phones, cellphone spare parts, electronic cigarettes, and power banks misdeclared as dry goods from China.
The cargo was consigned to Autumn Way Enterprises with address at Room 4160D 4F Regina Building, Escoltra Street in Binondo, Manila.
Last week, government agents also raided a warehouse allegedly owned by online retailer KimStore for supposedly importing electronic gadgets without paying the required tax.
BOC spokesperson Neil Estrella said warned those who are engaged in the importation of counterfeit products to stop their illegal activities as the BOC is bent on stopping them.
“We warn unscrupulous individuals to stop their illegal orientations because we will not stop seizing their shipments, malulugi lang kayo dahil milyon milyon ang halaga ng mga shipments na ito,” he added.
The cargo arrived at the MICP on Sunday, Feb. 5. The items will be destroyed to ensure that they will not be used by the public.
Violation of Customs Modernization and Tarriff Act will be filed against those behind the shipment.
Estrella said buying fake communication gadgets, which costs half the price of the original one, will not save money because bogus products are easy to break and are not reliable.
“Ang ating panawagan sa publiko, huwag na silang bumili ng fake na cell phones, mura nga pero madali namang masira. So, hindi din sila nakakatipid at mas magagastusan pa sila,” he said. — PNA
