Customs seizes ₱53 million unregistered meds, smuggled goods from China

On Apr 8, 2026

Customs Assistant Commissioner and Spokesperson Atty. Philip Vincent Maronilla, explaining other details of the seized medicines from China as Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and FDA DDG Atty. Franklin Tabaquin IV listen, MICP, April 7, 2026 (photo: BOC-PIAD).

PHARMACEUTICAL products for common cold and fever produced in China but not registered with the Food and Drugs Agency (FDA) and other smuggled goods worth more than ₱53 million were seized at the Manila International Container Port.

MICP District Collector Felipe Geoffrey K. De Vera informed Customs Commissioner Ariel F, Nepomuceno that he withheld the release of the shipment for 100 percent examination after the MICP Intelligence Field Office (MICP-CIIS) headed by Joel Pinawin found discrepancies during random inspection.

The shipment, which was initially declared as containing 1,144 “pet cages” also yielded packages of undeclared medicines without a permit from the FDA and other commercial goods.

MICP District Collector Fellipe Geoffrey De Vera is seen inspecting some of the unregistered medicines from China during the public viewing, April 7, 2026 (photo: BOC-PIAD).

The total value of the shipment was placed at more than ₱53 million, of which the majority, consisting of 336 boxes, consist of pharmaceutical products valued at ₱33.367 million, De Vera said.

406 boxes of other goods, including electronics, cosmetics, automotive parts, hardware, and various accessories were valued at ₱19.692 million, he added.

The identity of the erring consignee and its customs broker/s have not been released by the bureau.

“Our sustained intelligence and enforcement operations are driven by our commitment to safeguarding public safety and advancing the welfare of the nation.

“We will not allow illicit trade to undermine the safety of our people or the integrity of our economy,” said Commissioner Nepomuceno, after leading the public viewing of the seized shipment last Tuesday, April 7.

“Gusto ko lang linawin sa mga nagbabalak magpuslit ng iligal na produkto sa bansa na sisiguruhin ko at ng BOC na lahat ng responsable sa ganitong uri ng aktibidad ay mapapanagot,” he added.

Also witnessing the inspection with the Customs Chief, Collector De Vera and other BOC officials are representatives from pharmaceutical firm, UNILAB and Atty. Franklin Anthony Tabaquin IV, OIC, Office of the Deputy Director General for Field Regulatory Operations, FDA.