Photo credit: BOC

Smuggled white onions, valued at approximately P998,700, were uncovered and seized at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu during routine inspections.

The onions had been concealed within a shipment of "kimchi" originating from China.

Upon arrival at the Port of Cebu, the shipment, which was initially declared to consist of 147 boxes of kimchi with a declared value of Php183,750.00, was later abandoned by the consignee after more than a month.

Following the consignee's abandonment of the shipment, a Decree of Abandonment was issued against the cargo in accordance with Section 1129(a) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, under Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 17-2019.

Subsequently, the Inventory Team of the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division conducted an initial examination and inventory of the container vans.

After inspecting the first container, 3,329 bags of white onions were discovered
stacked behind the boxes of kimchi. The inventory of the other container is still ongoing.

Once the examination and inventory process is completed, the BOC will proceed with the immediate disposal of the smuggled white onions and kimchi in compliance with existing customs regulations.

The Bureau of Plant Industry will be closely involved in ensuring the proper disposal of the seized goods.