MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Bureau of Customs revealed that unscrupulous traders have shifted their modus operandi in importing goods from outright misdeclaration of goods to undervaluation.
According to Atty. Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, x-ray scanning chief the changing of method by the smugglers only shows the effectiveness of the bureaus anti-smuggling drive particularly the installation of x-ray scanning machines in major ports.
This (x-ray) has become like a Damocles sword hanging over the heads of importers and has served as deterrent for those who plan to cheat the government of its dues," she explained.
The x-ray scanners were acquired through a government to government loan with China.
At the same time, Mangaoang warned the illegal traders not to try other means to illegally import goods, noting that they will always be caught since they have intensify their campaign against smuggling particularly its updated valuation database.
She said that since it has become faster for the bureau to detect erroneous declarations, unscrupulous traders have opted to try their luck with trying to undervalue their shipments
Nakita namin na marami ang naglalabas ng undervalue shipment, ito na ang sinusubukan nilang paraan wala ng masyadong misdeclare items," she explained.
Undervaluation is a form of technical smuggling where importers try to declare a smaller value for their importations to minimize the required tax payments to the government. - GMANews.TV