KIMSTORE, one of the top names in the Philippines’ rapidly expanding online-retail space, is in hot water in the aftermath of a raid by the Bureau of Customs Monday.

According to a report from GMA News, high-value gadgets such as Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets, Apple MacBooks, and Canon cameras were seized by authorities from Kimstore’s warehouse in Tondo, Manila.

Customs officials said it acted on intelligence which claimed the retailer was selling items “smuggled into the country through misdeclaration schemes.” Smugglers, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Neil L. Estrella added, often under-declare their imports to avoid paying the correct duties and taxes to the government.

High-value gadgets were seized by the BOC from Kimstore. Customs officials said it acted on intelligence which claimed the retailer was selling items ‘smuggled into the country through misdeclaration schemes.’

The report also established that the BOC, based on a previous investigation, is convinced that the owner, a Filipino-Chinese businessman in Binondo, Manila, has been selling smuggled electronics online.

Kimstore staff were unable to show the necessary documents for the goods stored in the warehouse. The depot is already padlocked shut — with the gadgets seized by authorities left within its walls — until the agency can corroborate reports and speak with the owner of the online store.

We’ve reached out to Kimstore for a statement. We’ll update this post if we hear from the company.

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