The Bureau of Customs (BOC) took a significant step in advancing knowledge management (KM) by hosting a two-day Awareness Seminar on April 2-3, 2025, at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila. The initiative supports the Philippines’ leadership in ASEAN Customs capacity-building efforts and aligns with the Strategic Plan of Customs Development (SPCD) 14: Knowledge Management of the ASEAN Customs Capacity Building Working Group (CCBWG).

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) actively participated in GovX.0 Philippines, held at Conrad Manila from March 18 to 19, 2025, bringing to the forefront its commitment to digital transformation in trade facilitation and border management. The high-level event gathered top officials from various government agencies, industry leaders, and technology experts to discuss the evolving role of digitalization in governance and economic development.

Following the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC’s) crackdown on illegal fuel operations in the Bicol Region by the Port of Legazpi, three more gasoline stations have been found with 39,146.1 liters of non-compliant fuel with an estimated value of PhP2.6 million.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) participated in the 37th meeting of the ASEAN Customs Enforcement and Compliance Working Group (CECWG), held from 26-28 February 2025 in Phuket, Thailand.

In a joint inspection conducted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) through Port of Clark and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), authorities intercepted 2.09 kilograms of high-grade marijuana with an estimated street value of P1,890,000.00. The parcel arrived from Sacramento, USA, and was bound for Surigao del Norte.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized over 112,000 unregistered vape products misdeclared as insulated cups at the Port of Manila (POM). BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, alongside Deputy Commissioner for the Enforcement Group, Atty. Teddy Sandy S. Raval, Port of Manila District Collector Alexander Gerard E. Alviar, Acting Director of the Enforcement and Security Service Isabelo S. Tibayan III, and representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry – Office of Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (DTI-OSMV), led the inspection of the subject shipments on March 18, 2025.

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify border security and combat smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP), uncovered undocumented disposable vapes, vape pods, and various general merchandise valued at over PHP 1.18 billion in Valenzuela City.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), led by Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, successfully hosted the 3rd Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) General Assembly and celebrated its 1st Founding Anniversary on March 14, 2025. The event focused on advancing key initiatives, improving customs operations, refining trade processes, and strengthening collaboration between the government and the private sector.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has been recognized by ZTE Philippines Inc. for its outstanding service in expediting customs clearance, reaffirming its commitment to trade facilitation, efficiency, and professionalism.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio have been recognized with the Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan award for their exceptional contributions to investment facilitation. The award highlights the BOC’s success in streamlining customs processes and expediting permits and licenses for strategic investments, in line with Executive Order No. 18 (EO 18) on Green Lanes.