Strict Enforcement Within Territorial Waters
- The prohibition is strictly construed and enforced within the country’s territorial waters.
- This ensures effective implementation of the national policy.
Revocation of Previous Conditional Importation Practices
- All prior rulings, decisions, and practices allowing conditional release of used clothing and rags for importation, transshipment, or re-exportation are revoked.
- This revocation follows the Supreme Court ruling in Commissioner of Customs v. Court of Tax Appeals et al. (G.R. Nos. 171516-17, February 13, 2009).
Expanded Definition of Importation Under the Law
- Importation now includes:
- Bringing goods into the country with the intention of re-export.
- Technical importation within customs bonded warehouses or Special Economic Zones.
- Both acts involving used clothes and rags are subject to the prohibition.
Implementation and Effectivity
- According to Section 3502 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP), the implementing order takes effect thirty (30) days after its publication.
- Importers, customs officials, and the public must adhere strictly to this policy.
Legal and Administrative Authority
- The Commissioner of Customs is responsible for enforcing the prohibition.
- The policy aims to protect public health and uphold the dignity of the nation through customs regulation.