In a significant step for Philippine trade, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) officially launched the ATA Carnet, also known as the “Passport for Goods,” at The Manila Hotel on July 15, 2024.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), headed by Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, gained knowledgeable insights and valuable experience in the ‘U.S. Customs and Border Protection Ports Best Practices Exchange Visit’ hosted by the United States Customs Border Protection (US-CBP) in Los Angeles from June 24-28, 2024.

As part of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) intensified anti-illegal drug campaign, the BOC – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), intercepted an outbound cargo containing Methamphetamine Hydrochloride also known as “shabu”, falsely declared as documents.

In a significant leap toward digital transformation, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and other relevant agencies have joined forces to create a more efficient and secure travel experience for all travelers and crew members. This initiative was marked by the Ceremonial Launch of the Enhanced e-Travel System on July 10, 2024.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) held its 5th Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) meeting on July 5, 2024, at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Hosted by the Chinese-Filipino Business Club, Incorporated (CFBCI), the event was led by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio and included diverse stakeholders such as foreign chambers, top importers, and the agricultural sector. The meeting focused on optimizing customs procedures, the implementation of ATA Carnet, and oathtaking of new CICAC members.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Clark along with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), arrested the consignee of 1,608 grams of Liquid Cocaine with an estimated value of P8,522,400.00 on June 25, 2024.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) welcomed a delegation from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) as part of its working visit to seek consultancy from the Philippine Customs for the establishment of the Tanzania Customs Laboratory Project.

In its continuous effort to crackdown illicit cigarettes smuggling activities, the Bureau of Customs – Port of Cagayan de Oro (BOC-CDO), under the leadership of District Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad, issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention on June 25, 2024, against 350 reams of undocumented cigarettes intercepted in Brgy. North Poblacion, Guinsiliban, Camiguin.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), in collaboration with the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, conducted a parallel investigation resulting in the seizure of a private yacht used in transporting 1.4 tons of shabu to Nasugbu, Batangas.

The Bureau of Customs Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA), in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), successfully intercepted an outbound cargo containing dangerous drugs which were concealed and misdeclared as kitchen wall stickers on June 27, 2024.