On April 10, 2025, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio led an inspection at the Port of Subic, where fourteen (14) 20-foot container vans of misdeclared sugar products from Vietnam—valued at approximately PhP28,728,000.00—were seized for violations of customs regulations and other pertinent legal provisions.

The shipment, declared as “Sweet Mixed Powder,” originated from Dong Nai Province, Vietnam. It was flagged by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) – Port of Subic for possible misdeclaration and regulatory non-compliance.

Laboratory analysis conducted after a physical inspection, in collaboration with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), determined that the sucrose content of the samples exceeded 65%, thereby reclassifying the shipment as refined sugar contrary to their declared description.

These findings constitute violations of SRA Sugar Order No. 7, S. 2003–2004; SRA and BOC Joint Memorandum Order No. 04-2002; and Sections 1400 and 1113 (f)(k) 1, 4, and 5 of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Sec. 7 (a) and (e) of the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act.

In response, District Collector Marlon Fritz Broto, MNSA, issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) on March 28, 2025, against the subject goods. The subject shipments are presently undergoing forfeiture proceedings.

Commissioner Rubio emphasized that the operation supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure food security, uphold trade integrity, and combat agricultural smuggling. “This seizure demonstrates our firm resolve to prevent the entry of misdeclared and unregulated goods. We remain aligned with the President’s call to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses, and safeguard the nation’s agricultural interests through strengthened inter-agency cooperation,” he stated.

District Collector Broto added, “Through stringent inspections and decisive enforcement actions, the Port of Subic continues to fulfill its duty to secure our borders and maintain the integrity of lawful trade. We thank the SRA for its steadfast support in this operation.”

The BOC continues to heighten its enforcement efforts in line with Commissioner Rubio’s 5-Point Priority Program and the broader national campaign against smuggling led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.