[WATCH] Facebook post on Customs’ P16,000 tax on bag sent from London goes viral

A Facebook post about a woman’s complaint over a P16,000 duty that the Bureau of Customs levied on her branded bag has gone viral.

A report from GMA’s “24 Oras” on Tuesday said the Gucci bag was sent to the Manila Central Post Office by the woman’s relative in London.

The customs employee who assessed the bag said it was taxed that much because the recipient was unable to show a receipt proving the bag was only worth £100 or P5000.

According to the law only packages with a declared worth of P15 or below are exempted from taxes.

Philpost office Post Master General Josie Dela Cruz admitted this exemption range was not a realistic one considering current product prices.

“Sana makita ng ating mga legislators ang pangangailangan na sobra ng obsolete itong exemption rule na ito kailangan na natin siya i-ammend,” Dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz also clarified that it was BoC employees who did the assessment of items from abroad although the process was done at Philpost offices.

“Sa ngayon ang nangyayari pinapupunta natin ‘yung mga tao sa post office o sa mail exchange para doon makipagusap para sa kanilang parsela. And that’s why you have all these misunderstandings,” she said.

Source: GMA News