07/02/2026
| ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) accelerated trade facilitation efforts in 2025 by strengthening digital customs services, streamlining policies, and deepening collaboration with stakeholders to ensure faster, more predictable, and transparent clearance of goods across ports of entry.
๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐
Central to these efforts was the BOCโs push for digitalization. The Bureau introduced the upgraded Online Tax Estimator, a more intuitive, web-based tool that helps importers anticipate duties and taxes with greater accuracy, even before lodging declarations. The BOC also launched the Origin Management System (OMS), which automates the issuance and processing of the Product Evaluation Report (PER), a mandatory document for goods intended for export under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), reducing processing times and promoting export competitiveness.
To strengthen regional interoperability, the BOC also implemented the ASEAN Electronic Document Exchange, enabling faster cross-border verification of trade documents and ensuring regional interoperability. In addition, the agency proposed the integration of the Automated Export Declarations System (AEDS) across economic zones to support the future digitization of export submissions, with the potential to reduce errors and strengthen compliance.
The Bureau further improved processing for strategic and export-related goods through critical operational upgrades, including the streamlined clearance of aircraft parts at Clark International Airport and the full rollout of the electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO) portal.
๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ
Alongside digital reforms, policy improvements in 2025 reinforced predictability and reduced administrative burdens for traders. Importer accreditation validity was extended from one year to three years, allowing companies to plan operations with confidence and enabling BOC to focus on risk-based monitoring.
Nationwide standardization of off-dock tariffs strengthened transparency and consistency in logistics costs. Clearance procedures for cross-border e-commerce goods were also streamlined to improve online trade efficiency.
Measures such as the temporary suspension of routine Green Lane scanning at airports and the effective implementation of a 60-day rice import suspension demonstrated the Bureauโs calibrated approach in balancing facilitation, border security, and market stability.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ
The BOC likewise enhanced service delivery through the Enhanced Tax Exemption System Lite (e-TES Lite), further digitizing the filing and processing of tax and duty exemption applications.
To expand trust-based facilitation, the BOC strengthened its engagement with compliant traders through the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and Super Green Lane (SGL) programs.
In 2025, eleven (11) companies were formally accredited under the AEO program, including Sony Philippines, Coca-Cola Europacific, Toyota Motor Philippines, Brotherโs Industries, and Aboitiz Philippines, among others. Meanwhile, SGL membership grew to 273, continuing the Bureauโs efforts to reward low-risk traders through expedited customs processing and improved supply chain efficiency.
๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ
Strategic partnerships further amplified the impact of BOCโs modernization initiatives. Collaborations with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Makati Business Club (MBC) supported technical guidance and the co-design of key digital upgrades.
Agreements with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) helped optimize customs operations within the freeport. Consultations with the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) and the US-ASEAN Business Council strengthened the agencyโs adherence with global best practices and improved the trade environment for investors and industries.
The Bureau also strengthened interagency coordination, including engagement with the Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) and investment promotion agencies, to ensure seamless regulation of dual-use and strategic goods.
๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ญ๐-๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ
In support of evidence-based improvements, the BOC advanced reforms through the National Time Release Study (TRS) developed with the World Customs Organization (WCO). The TRS enables the Bureau to identify bottlenecks, reduce cargo clearance times, and implement targeted interventions across processes and ports.
Reform momentum was further supported by initiatives from ARISE Plus Philippines and the DIGIPINAS project, strengthening e-commerce processing and supporting enhanced digital risk assessment for cross-border goods.
๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ฒ
These efforts contributed to the Philippinesโ strong regional performance, with the country ranking second in ASEAN in the 2025 UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, reflecting measurable gains in efficiency, transparency, and modernization.
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐
๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ซ, ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐
โThe reforms we have implemented reflect our commitment to making trade faster, fairer, and more transparent, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.โs vision for a more competitive Philippine economy,โ Commissioner Nepomuceno said. โBy leveraging digital tools, clear policies, and strong partnerships, we are ensuring that businesses can operate with predictability while safeguarding national interests,โ he added.
By advancing innovation, strengthening policies, and fostering collaboration, the BOC continues to make trade faster, fairer, and more accessibleโsupporting consumers, businesses, and overall economic growth.โฉ
