Porsche cars seized by Customs at NAIA

TWO used Porsche sports cars with a combined value of P28 million, consigned to Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati, Inc., were seized on Aug. 2 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after almost a year since it was intercepted.
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) said the consignee has no exemption authority to import used motor vehicles, which is still required even if the intention is for educational and training purposes by the school.
“The seized one (1) unit used Porsche Boxster S and one (1) unit used Porsche Panamera 4S has an estimated street value of P10-million and P18-million, respectively,” said Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña.
In a letter dated July 9, 2018, lawyer Sonia S. Tapales, Chief of Import Regulations Division of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that the two used Porsche cars violated the Executive Order No. 156 which prohibits the importation of used motor vehicles.
“Only special purpose vehicles can have exemptions like fire trucks, ambulances, funeral hearses, crane lorries, boom trucks, tanker trucks, reefers, street sweepers, mixers, garbage compactors and special purpose trucks/vehicles,” Mr. Lapeña said.