The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reinforced its measures to ensure the steady and unhampered flow of petroleum imports across all ports through intensified daily monitoring and priority processing of fuel shipments.
To ensure the unhampered entry of critical fuel shipments, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno issued OCOM Memo No. 36‑2026, instructing all ports to enforce preferential handling, immediate unloading, expedited customs processing, prevention of process delays, inter‑agency coordination, and continuous monitoring for all petroleum imports. These measures were immediately implemented in processing two major fuel shipments in San Fernando, La Union and Limay, Bataan.
At the Port of San Fernando, La Union, the BOC facilitated the arrival of the government‑procured 9,157,667 liters of diesel shipment consigned to PNOC, which arrived yesterday at the SEAOIL Bangar Terminal—the largest oil import terminal in Region I—and was expedited for full discharge today. This follows prior coordination between BOC and PNOC representatives to ensure proper documentation, compliance steps, and the implementation of required fuel marking procedures ahead of unloading. The shipment forms part of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Strategic Fuel Reserve program and supports efforts to stabilize Luzon’s fuel supply.
Meanwhile at the Port of Limay, the Bureau of Customs facilitated the prioritized processing of a crude oil shipment delivered by the M/T Sara Sky, a Sierra Leone‑flagged vessel carrying ESPO Blend crude oil from Russia. The vessel arrived on March 23, 2026 and delivered 100,402.776 US barrels of crude consigned to Petron Corporation, which was fully unloaded at the Petron Bataan Refinery under BOC monitoring to ensure timely integration into the national fuel supply.
“Our goal is simple—to keep supply steady and ensure that no disruption reaches our industries or our communities.”
Nepomuceno emphasized the Bureau’s proactive role, stating that “Ensuring the timely release of petroleum products is critical to keep the country moving. That is why we are making sure petroleum shipments are processed without delay and closely monitored at all times. Our goal is simple—to keep supply steady and ensure that no disruption reaches our industries or our communities.”
The Commissioner commended the Ports for their timely action: “I commend the Port of San Fernando, La Union, and the Port of Limay for their quick and efficient handling of these priority fuel shipments from Russia and Japan. Their swift action and coordination ensured that essential petroleum products were released without delay.”
“Their swift action and coordination ensured that essential petroleum products were released without delay.”
𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
These facilitation efforts are supported by enhanced enforcement mechanisms. To ensure that all petroleum products entering the country are genuine, tax‑paid, and compliant, the BOC continues to strengthen its Fuel Marking Program with accredited depots. Fuel is marked and verified at the depot level to confirm authenticity and proper tax declaration, with any non‑compliant shipment immediately flagged for review—protecting consumers and safeguarding government revenue.
Complementing this is the Bureau’s vessel tracking system, which enables continuous monitoring of tankers while at sea as they approach Philippine jurisdiction. This allows customs authorities to maintain visibility over vessel movements and conduct inspections upon arrival, ensuring that all incoming petroleum cargoes are properly accounted for from offshore transit to port discharge.
𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴
In coordination with the DOE, the BOC has strengthened its real-time oversight of fuel shipments and depot inventories across all ports nationwide to ensure the continuous and unhampered flow of petroleum imports.
Under these measures, the district operations handling petroleum imports on all ports have been directed to prioritize fuel shipments, maintain accurate inventory reporting of depots within their jurisdiction, and ensure seamless coordination across units. Enhanced reporting mechanisms are likewise in place to support timely submission of data necessary for monitoring import volumes and inventory levels.
The continued monitoring of petroleum import volumes and depot inventories across all ports supports stable collections from petroleum-related imports and excise duties, reflecting consistent import activity and efficient processing systems. Petroleum imports account for about ₱200 billion annually, representing a significant share of the Bureau’s total collections and the need for efficient and well-regulated processes.
The BOC remains steadfast in its mandate to balance trade facilitation with regulatory enforcement, ensuring that petroleum imports entering through the ports are efficiently processed, closely monitored, and made available to meet the country’s energy requirements without disruption.
