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The Bureau of Customs conducted 868 anti-smuggling operations in the first half of 2024, seizing an estimated P55.171 billion worth of commodities
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BOC marked 9.89 billion liters of fuel under the fuel marking program, generating P121.72 billion in duties and taxes
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BOC also filed 24 criminal cases against 94 individuals involved in smuggling, and secured four convictions from cases filed in previous years
The Bureau of Customs conducted 868 anti-smuggling operations in the first half of 2024, seizing an estimated P55.171 billion worth of commodities.
Counterfeit goods were the top seized commodities, accounting for P29.738 billion of the total, according to BOC’s mid-year 2024 accomplishment report.
Various other commodities worth P14.515 billion were the top second seized goods, followed by cigarettes/tobacco/electric cigarettes/vapes with P5.534 billion, vehicles and accessories with P2.935 billion, and illegal drugs worth P2.277 billion.
BOC said the illegal drugs were seized through 80 operations, 37 of which yielded marijuana worth an estimated P934 million. Methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, meanwhile, was on top in terms of value, at P1.239 billion.
BOC said its seizure operations supported by enhanced X-ray scanning, improved risk profiling training, and increased intelligence sharing with agencies such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the National Bureau of Investigation.
The customs bureau has upgraded airport security with high-quality scanning machines at major international airports. This includes the installation of two Rapiscan 920CT hand-carried baggage scanners, two RT T110 CT checked-in baggage scanners, and three Tek84 Intercept body scanners.
BOC also condemned 83 containers of seized and forfeited goods during the first half.
In addition to this, the bureau donated various forfeited goods to several government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, PDEA, Philippine Navy, Provincial Government of Batangas, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Province of Ilocos Norte. The donations included fertilizers, auditorium chairs, empty water tanks, assorted books, empty containers, steel trusses, scaffolding, and other miscellaneous items.
For the first half of the year, BOC also marked 9.89 billion liters of fuel under the fuel marking program, generating P121.72 billion in duties and taxes. This was higher than the 9.419 billion liters of marked fuel worth P114.534 billion in duties and taxes reported in the same period last year.
Fuel marking—which started implementation in September 2019—aims to curb oil smuggling and plug revenue losses arising from the illegal importation or misdeclaration of petroleum products.
BOC’s Legal Service during the first half of the year has also filed 24 criminal cases against 94 individuals involved in smuggling.
During the period, BOC also secured four convictions for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and other related customs laws from cases filed in previous years.
Additionally, the Accounts Management Office—which handles accreditation of stakeholders—revoked the accreditation of 17 erring importers and customs brokers during the first half. BOC said this highlights its “ongoing efforts to enforce regulatory compliance and uphold the integrity of customs operations.”
In support of its increasing operational needs, BOC said it has also significantly expanded its workforce.
The agency hired 144 new personnel, including employees from other government agencies, and promoted 139 existing staff.
