BOC Captures PHP12-Million Bentley Smuggled from Japan

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Rey Guerrero recently presented to the media a smuggled Bentley Continental GT at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) District in Tondo, Manila. The luxury vehicle, estimated to cost PHP12 million, came in from Japan and was intercepted at the port on January 28, Monday.

According to Sandino Austria, an MICP collector, the Bentley was inside a container van and concealed behind a Hino truck with crane. The container van arrived last December, but was flagged due to misdeclared content.

According to shipment documents, the content of the van was supposed to comprise of forklift, used diesel engine and household products. The van was subjected to X-ray inspection after which the real contents were revealed.

Documents showed that the shipment belonged to Pulilan Motors Truck Rebuilding. A warrant of seizure and detention was issued on the shipment immediately after the X-ray inspection, according to Austria.

The owner along with the customs broker are facing the revocation of their accreditation as well as criminal charges for violating Section 1400 (Misdeclaration, Misclassification, Undervaluation in Goods Declaration) in relation to Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).