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The Bureau of Customs has directed the expedited facilitation of shipments of petroleum products amidst the effects of the Middle East conflict on the global supply of oil products
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The directive was issued in response to the request of the Department of Energy seeking assistance in ensuring the unhampered and timely release of petroleum products
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All BOC collection districts and concerned units are directed to accord preferential attention to all shipments of petroleum products, including, but not limited to, diesels, gasoline, aviation fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, and other similar energy products
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has directed the expedited facilitation of shipments of petroleum products amidst the effects of the Middle East conflict on the global supply of oil products.
The directive was issued in response to the request of the Department of Energy (DOE) seeking assistance in ensuring the unhampered and timely release of petroleum products, Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) Memo No. 36-2026 dated March 23 stated.
It noted that the request was made “in light of prevailing supply and market conditions affecting the country, which necessitate immediate and coordinated government action to safeguard public welfare and energy security.”
Under OCOM Memo No. 26-2026, all BOC collection districts and concerned units are directed to accord preferential attention to all shipments of petroleum products, including, but not limited to, diesels, gasoline, aviation fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other similar energy products.
The memo directs the priority berthing and immediate unloading of vessels carrying petroleum products, subject to existing safety and port regulations, as well as the prompt processing, assessment, and clearance of import entries covering petroleum products with minimal procedural delay.
It also instructs to streamline the processes to avoid process delays or possible redundancies.
Moreover, the memo directs close coordination with relevant government agencies, including DOE, Philippine Ports Authority, and other stakeholders, to ensure seamless operations.
District collectors should also closely monitor compliance with OCOM Memo No. 26-2026 and ensure that any bottlenecks are immediately addressed.
Early this month, BOC said it is intensifying its monitoring of oil importations and inventory levels in ports nationwide in response to global supply concerns as production and delivery routes are affected by the Middle East crisis spawned by the United States and Israel attack on Iran.
BOC said it is also establishing the BOC Oil Inventory Level Task Force to strengthen coordination and ensure accuracy of all data gathered from ports.
READ: BOC keeps closer watch on oil imports, inventory at all ports
