BOC collects ₱80.744B in January, exceeds target by ₱513M

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday said it has surpassed its revenue target in the first month of 2026 by more than half a billion pesos.

In a news release Tuesday, the BOC said it collected P80.744 billion in January, exceeding its target by P513 million and posting a collection efficiency of 100.6%.

Year on year, Customs revenues grew by 1.9% or P1.490 billion, up from P79.254 billion in January 2025, the agency said.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno attributed the performance to “the collective efforts of Customs personnel and stakeholders committed to compliance and reform,” in line with the administration’s push for economic stability and public safety.

“Exceeding our January target is a strong affirmation of the hard work of our Customs personnel and the growing cooperation of the trade community,” Nepomuceno said.

“We are committed to sustaining this level of efficiency to support the President’s economic agenda and to demonstrate the BOC’s capacity to deliver reliable public service,” he added.

The BOC said the January surplus was bolstered by enforcement operations nationwide, which resulted in 66 successful apprehensions with an estimated total value of P886.8 million in seized contraband and smuggled goods.

These operations reportedly targeted illicit activities that threaten public safety, fair trade, and government revenues.

The largest seizures in January involved dangerous drugs valued at more than P309 million, intercepted through intelligence-driven operations, according to the BOC.

Among these cases was the seizure of illegal drugs worth P114.566 million concealed in a shipment declared as malachite stones.

This was followed by the confiscation of illicit cigarettes and tobacco products valued at over P209 million, highlighted by the January 28 raid on an illegal cigarette manufacturing facility in Pampanga.

Authorities found locally produced cigarettes manufactured using smuggled machinery and raw materials.

Customs enforcement units also seized vehicles and vessels worth about P143 million during January operations against unlawful importation, as well as electronics valued at more than P221 million.

These included undeclared mobile phones worth P1.68 million seized at the Port of Cebu.

“We remain fully committed to protecting our borders,” Nepomuceno said, citing the support of partner agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and the Highway Patrol Group.

“Our enforcement is anchored on sustained, intelligence-led action that protects communities, supports legitimate trade, and strengthens public trust in Customs,” he added.—MCG, GMA Integrated News