Mobile phones and chargers brought in by an airline passenger who could not produce the required import permit were seized by agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on May 1 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City.
Deputy Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, head of the BOC’s Enforcement Group, said that Chen Haibi, a Chinese national, flew in from Guangzhou, China on May 1 on a Philippine Airlines flight carrying with him 100 pieces of Nokia 3310 cell phones and chargers worth P400,000.
“The suspect failed to declare his importation and the required documents such as an import permit from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) which led to the seizure of the shipment,” Nepomuceno said.
Maj. Jaybee Raul Cometa, head of Customs X-ray Inspection Project recommended the issuance of a Warrant Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the cargo for violation of an NTC Memorandum Circular and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, citing its lack of an import permit and Haibi’s failure to declare its contents.
An NTC provision states that no person or entity can purchase, sell, retail and/or resell mobile phones, including parts and accessories, without a valid Mobile Phone Dealer (MPD)/ Mobile Phone Retailer/Reseller (MPRR) Registration Certificate.
BOC chief Nicanor Faeldon reminded local and foreign travellers as well as foreign businessmen to be always mindful of customs laws when bringing in goods into the country.
At the same time, he warned that Customs regulations continue to be strictly enforced, with violators facing the subsequent penalties.
The mobile phones and chargers are now in the custody of the BOC for proper disposition.
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