A total of 40 importers and licensed customs brokers have been charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the sustained anti-smuggling campaign of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) under the leadership of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
From 1 July 2025 to present, the BOC has filed 14 criminal cases against 40 importers and/or their representatives and licensed customs brokers for violations of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
From 1 July 2025 to present, the BOC has filed 14 criminal cases against 40 importers.
The cases involve unlawful importation activities, including technical smuggling, misdeclaration, and undervaluation of goods, aimed at evading the correct payment of duties and taxes.
Beyond the filing of new cases, the Bureau has also recorded four criminal convictions during the term of Nepomuceno, arising from smuggling cases filed in previous years.
These convictions mark a significant milestone in customs enforcement, demonstrating that cases pursued by the Bureau can and do reach successful judicial resolution.
The filing of criminal cases, coupled with convictions secured, underscores the BOC’s firm commitment to go beyond seizure and forfeiture proceedings and hold accountable the individuals responsible for unlawful importation. By consistently pursuing prosecution, the Bureau strengthens deterrence against smuggling schemes that deprive the government of rightful revenue and create unfair competition against legitimate businesses.
Nepomuceno emphasized that, in line with the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to uphold the integrity of trade operations, the Bureau remains relentless in its campaign against smuggling and other fraudulent activities.
He reiterated that lawful trade is protected, while violators will face both administrative and criminal consequences.
“We will vigorously root out smuggling and revenue fraud.”
“Following the President’s directive, we will vigorously root out smuggling and revenue fraud, and we will hold unscrupulous importers and brokers fully accountable for any attempt to defraud the government,” Nepomuceno stressed.
Through sustained enforcement, continued prosecution, and the securing of convictions, the Bureau remains focused on safeguarding government revenue, protecting local industries, and upholding the integrity of the country’s trade system.
