President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, April 7, 2025, led the public condemnation of 2,977,925 pieces of seized smuggled electronic cigarettes, vape parts, and accessories valued at PhP3.26 billion. The event, held at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in South Harbor, Manila, underscores the administration’s strong commitment in combatting illicit trade and protecting public health.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Clark, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), successfully intercepted 3,896 grams of high-grade marijuana, commonly known as “kush,” with an estimated street value of PhP5,844,000.00. The parcel originated from Thailand and was bound for Legazpi City.

The Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) celebrated its 37th Founding Anniversary on March 31, 2025, reaffirming its critical role in safeguarding the country’s borders against smuggling, illicit trade, and other transnational crimes. For nearly four decades, the ESS has remained at the forefront of enforcing customs laws, disrupting illegal activities, and ensuring national security through relentless vigilance and strategic enforcement operations.

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.