P107-M luxury cars seized at MICP

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized 18 luxury vehicles worth P107 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña yesterday said the vehicles, which arrived at the MICP on separate dates from Oct. 13 to 19, were undervalued and did not have documentary requirements from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The shipments included 12 Toyota Land Cruisers, three Range Rovers, two Chevrolet Camaros and a McLaren – all latest models.

The vehicles, which came from Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and the United States, were examined at the container yard at the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) last Oct. 23. It was found that the consignee declared their total value at only P32.8 million or about P75.1 million less than the original total price.

Apart from undervaluation, Lapeña bared that the importers of the luxury cars failed to submit a BIR Authority To Release Imported Goods, which allows the release of imported goods from the custody of BOC upon payment of rightful duties and taxes or proof of exemption from payment thereof.

Records showed that the shipments were processed by customs broker Roy Lasdoce and consigned to Gamma Gray Marketing in Port Area, Manila.

Lapeña has ordered an investigation of the customs broker and consignee’s permit to import luxury cars to determine their liability and possible violations.