By Dante M. Salvaña
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted 25 container vans containing an estimated ₱136.92 million worth of misdeclared, regulated, and prohibited goods at the Port of Manila, in line with the government’s intensified campaign against smuggling and illicit trade.
The operation, led by BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, was carried out following the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border controls and protect public welfare.
The shipments, consisting of 25 containers consigned to a construction supplies trading company and primarily originating from China, were initially declared as plastic racks. However, upon thorough physical examination, authorities discovered a variety of undeclared goods.
Photo By: Bureau of Customs
Among the seized items were agricultural products such as rice and sugar valued at ₱18.134 million, along with counterfeit goods infringing intellectual property rights worth ₱59.343 million, totaling 6,320 boxes. Authorities also uncovered bales of used clothing, chemicals, electronics, pharmaceutical products, food items, and other commodities.
Additional findings included chemicals worth ₱101,000; used clothing valued at ₱22 million; electronics worth ₱2.1 million; pharmaceutical products amounting to ₱669,000; foodstuff valued at ₱43.75 million; and various other goods estimated at ₱34.523 million. Several cosmetic products were also found to be unlabeled and unregistered, raising concerns over consumer safety.
“This is exactly the kind of abuse we are determined to stop,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said. “When shipments are deliberately misdeclared, it not only deprives the government of rightful revenue—it also puts Filipino consumers and legitimate businesses at risk. We are tightening our border controls to ensure these shipments are intercepted before they can do harm.”
The BOC has initiated seizure and forfeiture proceedings and launched further investigation in accordance with the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other relevant laws on importation and intellectual property.
Meanwhile, the BOC–Port of Manila, under District Collector Rizalino Jose Torralba, reaffirmed its commitment to preventing the entry of illicit goods, strengthening enforcement measures, and ensuring full compliance with existing customs regulations.