The Bureau of Customs has intercepted three 20-footer vans filled with used clothes meant for “ukay-ukay” stores.
According to the bureau, the shipment from the US was intercepted at North Harbor, Manila International Container Port. Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the contents of the container vans were declared by shipper Dev’s Commercial as fishing supplies. The illegal shipment has an estimated value of P4.5 million.
“The importation of ukay-ukay is banned to protect the health of the Filipinos and to preserve the Filipino dignity. This is the reason why the BOC is vigilant against smuggled used clothing in our ports, if only to secure the Filipino consumers from the risk of catching contagious diseases from contaminated smuggled used clothing smuggled from abroad,” he said.
The entry of cheap used clothing also poses a threat to the local garment industry, Biazon said. Cheap used clothing from China also pose a threat to proper grammar and spelling.
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Photo: Matikas 0805
