MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated a record P42 billion in smuggled goods as of early November as the entry of illegal items into the country remains a problem.
During the forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines on Tuesday, Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the total value of smuggled goods seized by the agency reached P41.9 billion from January to Nov. 10.
During the period, illegal items caught by the BOC included counterfeit goods, agricultural commodities, tobacco products, and fuel, among others.
“Counterfeit goods are the biggest, including apparel, shoes, and branded bags,” Rubio told reporters.
This is also the largest seizure by BOC to date as the revenue agency remains firm in its pursuit to protect the country’s borders from illicit trade in goods.
“This is due to the strengthened anti-smuggling campaign by the BOC. We are really trying our best to confiscate and apprehend cargoes that are entering our country illegally,” Rubio said.
The record-high seizure of illicit goods also came at a time when imports are lower.
“Actually, the volume is lower so I can only attribute this to the vigilance of the BOC to curtail smuggling,” he said.
In a related development, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) confiscated P270 million worth of illicit cigarettes last week.
The bulk of the amount at P252 million came from 717 master cases or 358,500 packs of cigarettes confiscated in Davao.
The operation discovered that brands such as Canon, GreenHill, and Bros were being smuggled into the Philippines without proper payment of excise taxes.
The remaining P17.9 million in tax liabilities resulted in the confiscation of 51 master cases or 25,500 packs of New Orleans, also in Davao.