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The Bureau of Customs is advancing a multi-pronged approach aimed to eliminate agricultural smuggling, including full automation of customs processes and the proposed implementation of a pre-shipment survey mechanism
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To eliminate human discretion and reduce opportunities for corruption, BOC said it is accelerating the full automation of customs procedures, especially in the processing and clearance of agricultural imports
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The BOC is eyeing the adoption of a pre-shipment survey mechanism that would require goods to undergo inspection and verification before leaving the exporting country
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The BOC also beefed up its enforcement efforts with the enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is advancing a multi-pronged approach aimed at eliminating agricultural smuggling, including full automation of customs processes and the proposed implementation of a pre-shipment survey mechanism.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno in a statement said curbing agricultural smuggling is not only a matter of enforcement but also a question of system integrity.
“We must modernize our systems, tighten our enforcement, and transform our workforce to truly protect our borders and support our farmers,” Nepomuceno said.
To eliminate human discretion and reduce opportunities for corruption, BOC said it is accelerating the full automation of customs procedures, especially in the processing and clearance of agricultural imports.
The BOC said automation will enable real-time tracking, automated risk management, and digital verification, significantly improving transparency and operational efficiency.
As an added safeguard, the BOC said it is reinforcing stricter and risk-based monitoring of shipments originating from identified high-risk countries with a history of illicit importation or agricultural smuggling. Enhanced profiling and targeted inspections are being applied to detect and intercept suspicious shipments before they reach the Philippine market, it added.
As part of its broader reform agenda, the BOC said it is also studying the possible adoption of a pre-shipment survey mechanism. This measure would require goods to undergo inspection and verification before leaving the exporting country. While the concept is still under evaluation, BOC said it is being considered as a solution to issues of misdeclaration, underdeclaration, and technical smuggling before goods reach Philippine shores.
Relatedly, there have been attempts previously to implement a similar program, such as pre-shipment inspection or load port survey for containerized shipments. Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed Administrative Order No. 23, directing the BOC to implement the pre-border technical verification (PTV) and cross-border electronic invoicing system. PTV refers to testing and inspection of all commodities prior to exporting to the Philippines. Currently, a load port survey is already being implemented for bulk and breakbulk shipments.
READ: JAO implements pre-border inspection, e-invoicing
With the enactment of Republic Act (RA) No. 12022, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, the BOC said it has also reinforced its enforcement efforts. Since its enactment into law last year, the BOC said it has since intensified its inspection, alert, and seizure operations to detect violations and pursue legal action against offenders.
In recent months, the BOC noted successful interception of several attempts to smuggle agricultural products, including misdeclared onions, carrots, and frozen fish at major ports such as Subic and Manila. One major operation, conducted in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), uncovered 10 containers falsely declared as “chicken poppers” that were actually loaded with smuggled carrots and onions valued at over P100 million.
The BOC said it is also working closely with the DA, and other law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine Coast Guard, to ensure that only lawful and properly declared agricultural imports are allowed into the country.
Beyond enforcement, BOC said Nepomuceno is committed to building a culture of integrity and discipline among the bureau’s personnel.
From entry-level staff to high-ranking officials, all employees are expected to uphold the values of professionalism and accountability.
“This is not just about stopping smuggling. It is about transforming the institution and building a Bureau that the Filipino people can trust,” Nepomuceno said.
“Every smuggled onion, carrot, or sack of rice that slips through our borders is a direct blow to the hardworking hands that feed our nation. The Bureau of Customs will stand firm with our farmers. We are committed to guarding our borders not just for compliance, but for justice, fairness, and the dignity of Filipino agricultural workers.”
