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The Bureau of Customs officially launched its newly-established Top Importers Office
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It serves as the agency’s dedicated facilitation unit for top importers, exporters, and third parties engaged in customs-related operations
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Throughout the month of July, BOC conducted a series of consultation meetings with top importers across various industries to formally introduce TIO as their central coordinating hub and primary point of contact
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As part of initial programs launched by the TIO, structured assistance and tracking mechanisms were established to ensure that concerns are systematically routed to concerned BOC offices for timely evaluation and action, while setting mutual expectations for strict legal compliance and complete documentation
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has officially launched its newly-established Top Importers Office (TIO), which serves as the agency’s dedicated facilitation unit for top importers, exporters, and third parties engaged in customs-related operations.
Throughout the month of July, BOC conducted a series of consultation meetings with top importers across various industries to formally introduce TIO as their central coordinating hub and primary point of contact.
BOC in a statement said TIO was created as a strategic link to foster seamless collaboration between key trade partners and the bureau’s operational units. Its establishment “shifts customs governance to sustained consultation, upgrading frontline services, and promoting a more efficient and reliable trading environment,” BOC noted. It is headed by its director, George JT D. Aliño II.
During the meetings, BOC said company representatives raised specific operational concerns involving import clearances, processing delays, and inter-office coordination.
As part of initial programs launched by the TIO, structured assistance and tracking mechanisms were established to ensure that concerns are systematically routed to concerned BOC offices for timely evaluation and action, while setting mutual expectations for strict legal compliance and complete documentation.
Among the stakeholders that were part of the meetings were energy and petroleum firms, including Insular Oil Corp., Shell Pilipinas Corp., Petron Corp., Chevron Philippines Inc., Seaoil, Unioil, and Jetti Petroleum; as well as key players in aviation, automotive, technology, food, healthcare, and manufacturing, including Philippine Airlines, Mitsubishi, Suzuki Philippines, HP PPS Philippines, Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz, Mondelez, Monde Nissin, Century Pacific Food, Golden Arches Development Corp., Mondo Cucina, Wills International, IE Medica, Medethix, Lifeline Diagnostics Supplies, Concepcion Durables, Concepcion-Carrier, and SCG Marketing.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno described the TIO as the “direct bridge” between the BOC and main stakeholders for faster and clearer coordination.
“Through open dialogue, we will not only respond to operational issues, but we will also identify the root cause of problems to provide lasting solutions,” he said.
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.
READ: BOC creates Top Importers Office for seamless movement of goods
Under CMO No. 06-2026, top importers refer to importers duly accredited with BOC whose import activities represent a significant contribution to customs revenue, import value or volume, and national trade flows, as determined by the bureau using objective and risk-based criteria, including duties and taxes paid, transaction frequency, compliance record, and economic significance.
Top importers also include subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as importers accredited under BOC’s Super Green Lane and Authorized Economic Operator Program, as well as other importers as may be determined by the customs commissioner.
The roster of top importers will be subject to periodic review and monitoring to ensure continued compliance and accountability.
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.
