P700k unregistered Chinese medicines seized at NAIA

Unregistered Chinese medicines valued at P700,000 were seized by the Bureau of Customs at the Port of NAIA.

The shipment, originating from Xiamen, China, was falsely declared as "vitamin pills" and contained approximately 180 kilos of the undeclared medicines.

Customs agents discovered the medicines lacked the required License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

The seized goods are subject to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act through misdeclaration and importation of regulated goods.

This incident follows a series of similar seizures of unregistered Chinese medicines at the Port of NAIA, indicating a potential new smuggling modus operandi.

The FDA had previously issued an advisory warning the public against the purchase and use of unregistered Chinese medicines.

The Bureau of Customs affirmed its commitment to maintaining border security and vigilance against the smuggling of illegal goods, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.