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Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno is advancing significant reforms at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) by extending the validity of importer accreditation to three years. This proactive measure, in direct response to stakeholder sentiments and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve ease of doing business, updates Customs Administrative Order No. 07-2022. This amendment extends the accreditation […]
Determined to protect the country’s food security and agricultural sector, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, is advancing a multi-pronged approach to eliminate agricultural smuggling. These efforts include the full automation of customs processes, the proposed implementation of a Pre-Shipment Survey mechanism, and the strict enforcement of the Anti-Agricultural […]
Demonstrating his firm commitment to enforcement and border security, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the inspection of a consolidated shipment found to contain illegal drugs at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) recently. The BOC, acting on credible intelligence, issued an Alert Order on a 1×40-ft container declared as balikbayan boxes. A […]
Senator Ping Lacson is heartened over the request of new Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno to help automate the bureau’s systems. Lacson, in an interview on One News recently, disclosed that Nepomuceno made the request in a meeting. “I’m glad he asked for help in automating the bureau’s systems.” “I met with BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno. […]
In a bold step to restore integrity and public trust in the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, on 10 July 2025, issued a memorandum strictly prohibiting all BOC officials, employees, and personnel from holding any business or financial interest in Customs Brokerage operations. Nepomuceno’s order was in response to the call […]
The House Quad Committee, led by committee on dangerous drugs chairperson and Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers, reconvened for its 14th public hearing, delving into Customs processes to identify loopholes and determine how illegal consignments enter the country. Lawmakers revisited the 2017 smuggling of P6.4 billion illegal drugs found in magnetic lifters at the […]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. formally requested the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to release 580 metric tons of seized frozen mackerel to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The shipment, confiscated for lacking an import permit, is intended to aid relief operations and bolster food security efforts. “BFAR Laboratory tests confirmed that […]
Senator Raffy Tulfo questioned the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) previous acquisition of low-quality mobile X-ray equipment from China with overpriced maintenance costs. During the plenary deliberation on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of BOC, Tulfo asked why BOC chose to purchase equipment from China over brands from other countries like US that are […]
Senator Chiz Escudero challenged the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to immediately file charges against traders suspected of smuggling and hoarding rice, which is being blamed for the artificial shortage of the food staple and price spikes in recent months. At the same time, Escudero called on customs for their failure to disclose to the public […]
Consistent with the policy directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to bolster the government’s campaign against agricultural smuggling, the Department of Agriculture-Inspectorate and Enforcement Office led the inspection of 58 container vans offloaded at the Port of Subic, which were placed on alert mode. The operation conducted recently in partnership with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), […]