BOC files smuggling raps vs CDO firm, broker for sugar shipment

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Customs on Friday filed charges of illegal importation against a Cagayan de Oro firm and its importer for allegedly smuggling P13.5-million worth of sugar into the country from China.

Facing a complaint for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) in relation to Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Rules and Regulations and Joint Memorandum Order No. 4-2002 are Argic Dinawanao, owner of AMD Royale Enterprises and Steve Semblante, Customs broker of AMD Royale.

Based on the complaint, they allegedly shipped 260,000 kilograms of sugar without the proper import permits.

The shipment was declared as “kitchenware, furniture, stoneware, tableware and ceramic ware” and entered the Philippines in 10 40-foot containers, said Customs Deputy Commissioner Arturo Lachica.

“AMD Royale’s importation of refined sugar without import permit constitute violations of the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s rules that all importer of sugar must have SRA clearance prior to the release of the importation by the Bureau of Customs. Failure to secure an import permit from SRA makes the sugar importation unlawful,” Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said.

“For AMD Royale to misdescribe and misdeclare the shipments as kitchenware and tableware clearly showed their intent to bring sugar through illegal means,” Lina added.

Lachica said the seized sugar would first be checked if safe before being auctioned off.

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