BOC sells P1.08 billion overstaying cargo

MANILA, Philippines — The government generated P1.08 billion in revenues last year from the disposal of 3,514 overstaying containers in different ports nationwide, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said yesterday.

The BOC said 1,898 containers bearing assorted items such as television sets, tiles, and plywood, among others, were auctioned off to the public. More than 1,300 containers were condemned, while 270 were donated.

“The significance of these disposition activities is in connection with the ease of doing business in the bureau, as these will also result in the decongestion of ports and yards,” the BOC said.

According to the BOC, overstaying containers include either seized or abandoned goods. Under Customs Memorandum Order 10-2020, cargoes left in ports for more than 30 days from the date of discharge, which have not been withdrawn within the specified period, are tagged abandoned.

Upon finality of the Decree of Abandonment, the BOC will then determine the proper method of disposition for the goods.

Section 1141 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act states that goods subject to disposition may be donated, declared for official use by the bureau, or sold at public auctions. Goods suitable for shelter, or consisting of foodstuffs, clothing materials, or medicines may be donated to the Department of Social and Welfare Development.

The BOC generated P533.88 billion in  total revenues last year, 6.5 percent higher than its target of P501.33 billion, but 15.3 percent lower than the 2019 level of P630.31 billion.

In its 2020 Annual Accomplishment Report, the BOC said it was able to maintain the yard utilization rate in major ports below the international threshold of 70 percent.

Yard utilization at the Port of Manila, for example, reached 67.41 percent last year, while utilization of the Manila International Container Port (MICP) declined to 63.26 percent.