BoC seizes P1-M misdeclared medical devices

CEBU CITY — The Bureau of Customs (BoC) Port of Cebu confiscated Friday two 40-foot container vans containing misdeclared medical devices worth an estimated P1.041 million.

A 100 percent physical examination uncovered 78,720 regulated medical devices packed in 1,800 cartons. These included 24,000 peritoneal dialysis drainage bags, 43,200 sterile disposal intravenous infusion/administration sets and 11,520 hemodialysis blood tubing sets.

The actual contents did not match the shipment’s declared description as “water purified tube and bag.”

The items were identified as regulated medical devices requiring compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements before importation.

Cebu Customs District Collector Atty. Czae Carrie de Guzman issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention for violations of Sections 117 and 1400, in relation to Section 1113(f) and (i) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, as well as applicable FDA laws, rules and regulations governing medical device imports.

“The Port of Cebu remains vigilant against misdeclaration and other attempts to circumvent our laws. We will continue to strengthen our border protection measures while ensuring that regulated goods entering the country comply with the necessary requirements,” De Guzman said.

BoC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno stressed the need to ensure that regulated medical devices entering the country are properly declared and compliant with applicable requirements.

“Mahigpit nating binabantayan ang pagpasok ng regulated goods, especially products that may directly affect public health and safety. We will ensure that medical devices entering the country are properly declared and comply with all applicable requirements,” Nepomuceno said.

The shipment remains under BoC custody pending seizure and forfeiture proceedings.