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The Bureau of Customs-Port of Cebu collected P4.668 billion in January 2025, its highest monthly collection to date
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The latest collection is also 22% higher than the P3.831 billion target revenue for the month
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For 2024, BOC-Cebu collected P44.79 billion, missing its annual target by 3.31% but surpassing the P39.26 billion collection in 2023 by 14.10%
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Iron and steel were the top imported commodities in Cebu last year with P3.918 billion while copper concentrates was the top export commodity at $358.674 million
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For this year, BOC-Cebu has been tasked to collect P55 billion, almost P10 billion higher than the 2024 collection
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu collected P4.668 billion in January 2025, its highest monthly collection to date and 22% higher than the P3.831-billion target revenue for the month.
For 2024, BOC-Cebu collected P44.79 billion, missing its annual target by 3.31% but surpassing the P39.26-billion collection in 2023 by 14.10%, according to BOC-Cebu deputy collector for Assessment Atty. Marc Anthony Patriarca in a presentation during the recently concluded 4th Visayas Shipping Conference and Exhibit 2025 organized by PortCalls in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry-Region 7.
Iron and steel were the top imported commodities in Cebu last year with a total revenue share of P3.918 billion.
The nine other top import commodities in Cebu last year were the following:
- Motor gasoline – P3.646 billion
- Gasoil – P3.202 billion
- Electrical equipment – P2.965 billion
- Rice – P2.905 billion
- Non-electrical equipment and machineries – P2.553 billion
- Articles of iron and steel – P2.479 billion
- Coal – P2.365 billion
- Plastics including resins – P1.275 billion
- Liquefied petroleum gas – P1.26 billion
Copper concentrates, on the other hand, was the top export commodity of Cebu last year with a total value of $358.674 million.
The other top export commodities were:
- Furniture – $52.796 million
- Pasteurized crabmeat – $40.206 million
- Coconut shell – $34.177 million
- Carrageenan – $25.709 million
- Dried mango – $24.726 million
- Activated carbon – $23.637 million
- Philippine handicrafts – $20.369 million
- Frozen seafoods – $18.796 million
- Fatty acid – $13.518 million
For this year, Patriarca said BOC-Cebu has been tasked to collect P55 billion, almost P10 billion higher than the 2024 collection.
Fuel and gas, and iron and steel are still seen as major contributors to Cebu’s revenue collection this year, as businesses in these sectors are expanding their operations in the province, Patriarca told PortCalls at the sidelines of the event.
Moreover, several infrastructure projects are seen to further expand Cebu’s capacity to handle shipments.
These include the new Cebu South Harbor Container Terminal, a private terminal in Talisay City; the newly-inaugurated second runway at Mactan-Cebu International Airport that will allow the gateway to handle more passengers and cargoes; and the New Cebu International Container Port, which broke ground just last January and is eyed to start operations in 2028.
Patriarca said BOC-Cebu is also open to collaborate with stakeholders to further improve operations, particularly through their Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council, a consultative body with industry groups to enlist their support and active participation in advancing the reform agenda of the bureau. It also aims to help in addressing existing and potential issues related to Customs and industry matters. – Roumina Pablo
READ: BOC Port of Cebu launches revamped designated examination area
