The Bureau of Customs closed the first month of 2026 by surpassing its January revenue target while carrying out a series of operations against large-scale and high-value smuggling activities nationwide.

For January 2026, the BOC collected P80.744 billion, exceeding its monthly revenue target by P513 million and posting a 100.6 percent collection efficiency. The figure also marked a P1.490 billion increase, or 1.9 percent growth, from the P79.254 billion collected in January 2025.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the results reflect the collective efforts of Customs personnel and stakeholders committed to compliance and reform, in line with the administration’s push for economic stability and public safety.

“Exceeding our January target is a strong affirmation of the hard work of our Customs personnel and the growing cooperation of the trade community. We are committed to sustaining this level of efficiency to support the President’s economic agenda and to exhibit the BOC’s ability of delivering reliable public service,” Nepomuceno said.

While the strong revenue performance sets a positive tone for the year, Nepomuceno stressed that revenue gains are reinforced by firm, consistent and continuous enforcement activities.

Throughout January 2026, the BOC conducted nationwide operations that resulted in 66 successful apprehensions, with a combined estimated value of P886.8 million in seized contraband and smuggled goods. The operations targeted illicit activities that threaten public safety, fair trade and government revenues.

The largest seizures involved dangerous drugs valued at more than P309 million, intercepted through intelligence-driven operations. These included the confiscation of illicit drugs worth P114.566 million concealed in a shipment declared as malachite stones.

Authorities also seized illicit cigarettes and tobacco products worth over P209 million, highlighted by a 28 January 2026 raid on an illegal cigarette manufacturing facility in Pampanga. Investigators said the locally produced cigarettes were manufactured using smuggled machinery and raw materials.

Customs enforcement units further confiscated vehicles and vessels valued at around P143 million, along with electronics worth more than P221 million. Among these was the seizure of undeclared mobile phones valued at P1.68 million at the Port of Cebu.

Other enforcement actions covered unlawfully imported agricultural products, wildlife and natural resources, food items and other regulated goods that pose risks to consumers, local industries and fair competition.

Nepomuceno reiterated the bureau’s commitment to protecting the public and acknowledged the support of partner agencies and frontline personnel in sustaining enforcement efforts.