Philippines’ Bureau of Customs (BOC), a government agency under the finance ministry has reported an increase in revenue collection, surpassing its 2023 targets due to its digitalisation initiatives and intensive campaign against smuggling in the previous year.
BOC exceeded its revenue collection target by 1.09 percent, taking in P883.624 billion Philippine Peso (S$21.25 billion) against the goal of 874.166 billion Philippine Peso.
Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said he expects the Bureau to continue "modernising" its customs administration and processes in 2024 to effectively curb illicit trade, generate more revenues to fund the government’s priority development projects, ensure the protection of our consumers, and enhance the country’s ease of doing business.
BOC has so far digitalised 161 out of 166 customs processes to enhance trade facilitation.
Its One-Stop Electronic Travel Declaration System (E-Travel System) in collaboration with the Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) allowed travellers and crew members to declare dutiable goods before their arrival.
The Overstaying Cargo Tracking System provided data on disposition activities, such as auction, condemnation, or donation of all overstaying containers in all ports.
BOC also introduced the National Customs Intelligence System (NCIS) which gathers intelligence data from various sources to enable informed decision-making analysis and more responsive policies.
The customs bureau said it collaborated with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority for Electronic Tracking of Containerised Cargo (E-TRACC) System to enable real-time monitoring of containerised goods and individuals within and outside economic zones.
BOC said it will introduce several other digital efforts, including the implementation of the BOC e-Pay Portal System, the e-Auction System, and the Automated Export Declaration System (AEDS) in future.
