BOC beats Q1 target with PHP 239.054 billion

The Bureau of Customs, or BOC, collected PHP 239.054 billion from January to March 2026, surpassing its internal target by 1.3 percent and posting 3.3 percent growth from the same period a year earlier, based on preliminary figures.

The first-quarter performance gives the agency a stronger revenue base for programs prioritized by the national government, as customs collections remain a major source of public funds for state spending.

The BOC said the January-to-March 2026 result ranked among its top-performing periods and was exceeded only by collections recorded from July to September 2025, which the bureau also described as a historic high under the current leadership.

The agency attributed the strong outcome to the combined efforts of its ports and subports across the country, where personnel are tasked with ensuring the efficient and lawful collection of duties and taxes.

Customs duties are charges imposed on imported goods, while taxes collected at the border help raise government revenue and regulate trade.

A major factor behind the first-quarter result was the bureau’s intensified campaign against illegal trade, which it said boosted revenues during the period.

The BOC said first-quarter revenues were lifted by the successful public auction of forfeited goods, particularly smuggled high-end vehicles, allowing the government to convert seized illicit assets into public revenue.

The bureau added that stronger post-clearance audit operations also supported the result by improving compliance with customs laws and helping ensure the correct payment of duties and taxes.

Post-clearance audits are reviews conducted after imported goods have already been released, allowing customs authorities to check whether importers paid the proper amount and followed all rules.