Online Store Raided By BOC For “Smuggled” Gadgets

Online Store Raided By BOC For “Smuggled” Gadgets

GMA News Online is reporting that the Bureau of Customs has conducted a raid on online shop Kim Store and has managed seize an assortment of high-end smartphones and electronic gadgets worth millions of pesos from one of the oldest and biggest online shops last January 30.

The BOC, acting on intelligence reports, believe that many of the gadgets sold in the shop were smuggled into the Philippines via misdeclaration. The raid took place in the shop’s postal address in Lakandula Street, Tondo, Manila.

“There are plenty of cases wherein high-end communication and electronic gadgets are smuggled into the country through misdeclaration schemes – a top form of smuggling – used by smugglers to defraud and avoid paying correct duties and taxes to the government,” Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Neil L. Estrella said.

“BOC, under my watch, will often conduct raids in warehouses, storehouses, and depots, to combat the malpractice and related crimes, and finally jail perpetrators, once and for all,” said Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon.

Among the gadgets included in the raid were iPhone 7s, Macbooks, Samsung S7 devices, Nexus 6ps and a gaggle of other electronic goods.

Kim Store’s official Facebook page made no mention of the raid, only posting a notice that transactions will be delayed this week because of an unforeseen need for a system upgrade.

We’ve reached out to Kim Store to get their side of the story – we’ll update this post as soon as we get word.

Source

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