BOC: 14 criminal raps filed vs 40 importers, customs brokers

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed criminal charges against 40 importers and licensed customs brokers as part of the agency’s sustained campaign against smuggling.

In a statement on Tuesday, the BOC said 14 criminal cases have been filed against the importers and brokers over violations of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) since July 2025.

The charges – filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) – revolved around unlawful importation activities, such as technical smuggling, misdeclaration, and undervaluation of goods to evade the correct payment of duties and taxes.

During this period, the agency also secured four criminal convictions from smuggling cases filed in previous years.

“These convictions mark a significant milestone in customs enforcement, demonstrating that cases pursued by the bureau can and do reach successful judicial resolution,” the BOC said.

BOC commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno assured that they will remain relentless in their anti-smuggling campaign to ensure that violators face administrative and criminal consequences in order to protect lawful trade.

“We will vigorously root out smuggling and revenue fraud, and we will hold unscrupulous importers and brokers fully accountable for any attempt to defraud the government,” he added.

The agency also underscored its “firm commitment to go beyond seizure and forfeiture proceedings and hold accountable the individuals responsible for unlawful importation.”

“By consistently pursuing prosecution, the bureau strengthens deterrence against smuggling schemes that deprive the government of rightful revenue and create unfair competition against legitimate businesses,” the BOC said. — JMA, GMA Integrated News