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The Bureau of Customs seized P30.86 billion worth of smuggled goods from January 1-August 4, 2023
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The figure has exceeded the aggregate value of goods seized in 2022 by P6 billion
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The seizures resulted from more than 600 operations conducted by the BOC
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Counterfeit items represented the lion’s share of total seizures at P21.75 billion, followed by agricultural products (P2.9 billion), cigarettes/tobacco (P1.9 billion), and illegal drugs (P1.33 billion)
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized an estimated P30.86 billion worth of smuggled goods from January 1 to August 4, 2023.
The figure has exceeded the aggregate value of goods seized in 2022 by P6 billion, the agency said in a statement.
It is also higher than the full-year figures in 2022 (P24.6 billion), 2021 (P28.4 billion), 2020 (P10.6 billion), and 2019 (P20.6 billion), according to BOC’s 2016-2022 and 2022 accomplishment reports.
In a presentation at the recent International Tobacco Agricultural Summit, Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said from January to July, BOC had collected an estimated P30.5 billion of smuggled goods as a result of 661 seizure operations.
Based on data from the Intelligence Group, of the estimated P30.5 billion, counterfeit goods had the largest share of P21.75 billion, followed by agricultural products at P2.9 billion, cigarettes/tobacco with P1.9 billion, and illegal drugs at P1.33 billion.
Other seized goods were general merchandise worth P963 million, fuel/oil valued at P726 million, steel products worth P585 million, and vehicles and accessories valued at P264 million.
Others were used clothing, electronics, firearms, wildlife and natural resources, jewelry, food stuff, chemicals, currency, and personal protective equipment/medical supplies/cosmetics.
Rubio said to combat illegal trade effectively, BOC relies on advanced digital tools and data-driven processes. He outlined several initiatives, including use of x-ray machines for non-intrusive inspection, continuous enhancement of BOC’s risk management system, deployment of water patrol assets, and extensive implementation of the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo System (E-TRACC).
BOC noted these measures aim to detect contrabands and misdeclared goods, prevent smuggling, and secure container movements.
In addition to technology-driven measures, BOC said it ensures close partnerships with national, regional, and international law enforcement and regulatory agencies for intelligence sharing and information exchange.
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