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The Bureau of Customs has created a Top Importers Office to serve as a hub focusing on both top importers and exporters as well as key third parties engaged in customs-related operations
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Established under Customs Memorandum Order No. 06-2026, the TIO is expected to strengthen coordination, facilitate the resolution of operational concerns, and support the secure and seamless movement of goods
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Top importers will be identified using objective and risk-based criteria, including customs revenue contribution, transaction volume and value, compliance history, and overall economic significance
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BOC said the initiative is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency, promote predictability in customs processes, reduce unnecessary bottlenecks, and improve engagement between the customs bureau and key stakeholders in the trade sector
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has created a Top Importers Office (TIO) to serve as a hub focusing on both top importers and exporters as well as key third parties engaged in customs-related operations.
Established under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 06-2026, the TIO is expected to strengthen coordination, facilitate the resolution of operational concerns, and support the secure and seamless movement of goods.
Under CMO No. 06-2026, top importers will be identified using objective and risk-based criteria, including customs revenue contribution, transaction volume and value, compliance history, and overall economic significance. The roster will likewise be subject to periodic review and monitoring to ensure continued compliance and accountability.
“This initiative strengthens trust between the Bureau of Customs and the trade community while ensuring that facilitation remains anchored on integrity and compliance,” Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.
“Through the TIO, we are building a customs environment that is more responsive, transparent, and supportive of legitimate trade and economic growth,” Nepomuceno added.
BOC said the initiative is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency, promote predictability in customs processes, reduce unnecessary bottlenecks, and improve engagement between the customs bureau and key stakeholders in the trade sector.
The creation of the TIO is also a key pillar of BOC’s Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) agenda, reinforcing transparent processes, stakeholder accountability, and globally aligned customs practices.
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With the TIO, BOC said it “takes another step toward a modern, service-oriented institution that facilitates legitimate trade while safeguarding revenue and national interests.”
BOC Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group deputy commissioner Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero earlier said while still an ad hoc office, its creation is the initial step while BOC’s proposed permanent unit–to be called Trade Facilitation Service and headed by a director–is to be created through the issuance of an executive order. The proposal will be submitted first to BOC’s mother agency, the Department of Finance, for approval.
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The creation of the Trade Facilitation Service is also part of BOC’s proposed rationalization plan. Uvero noted that despite trade facilitation being one of BOC’s mandates aside from revenue collection and border protection, there is currently no permanent office dedicated to the service.— Roumina Pablo
