The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intensified its implementation of the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo System (E-TRACC), a real-time monitoring system of containerized cargoes using GPS-enabled tracking locks, to prevent smuggling by diversion of cargoes.

The BOC monitors the movement and location of all containers and obtains real-time alarms through the system 24/7.

In 2022, the system documented 517,992 trips, of which 3.50% (18,099 visits) were alarmed due to irregular movements.

In deploying the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and other concerned offices, the Commissioner issues Mission Orders to verify the status of containers through immediate investigations and other appropriate enforcement actions.

The minimal number of alarms manifests the high compliance rate of consignees due to the BOC’s strict monitoring of cargo movements to suppress illegal activities, including route deviations, unauthorized start and end trips, and tampering with alarms, to name a few.

Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz leads the BOC in its stringent implementation of anti-smuggling initiatives by continuously modernizing its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems and deploying state-of-the-art land and water patrol assets.

Aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the BOC remains resolute in upholding strict border control measures to counter smuggling and other forms of Customs fraud.#