Customs’ Feb collections exceed target

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) took in P63 billion in revenues in February, surpassing its target of P61.83 billion for that month by 2 percent, according to preliminary data.

February collections were also higher by 6 percent or P3.6 billion than the P59.43 billion recorded in the same month of 2022

This brought the BOC revenue collection so far for 2023 to P133.38 billion, including January collections, an increase of 7 percent from  P124.74 billion in the first two months of 2022

“We will continue to innovate and implement sustainable reforms to boost the (BOC’s) collection efficiency, which will contribute to the expansion and recovery of our national economy,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said in a statement.

Beating monthly revenue targets as well as simplifying and securing the facilitation of trade with other countries were among the priorities that newly installed BOC Commissioner said he would maintain.

“For this to be possible, we will also prioritize fostering a healthier trade environment through enhanced and modernized mechanisms for efficient trade facilitation and improved Customs operations for all our stakeholders,” Rubio said.

Robust performance

The BOC’s performance so far this year reinforces its contributions to the national coffers in 2022, when customs collections hit P862.4 billion, which exceeded 2021 revenues by 34 percent or P219 billion and the full-year 2022 goal by 19.5 percent or P141 billion.

According to the Bureau of the Treasury, the BOC’s robust revenue performance last year was supported by efforts to ensure the recovery of deficient duties and taxes, improve tax compliance, tariffs on rice imports and public auctions of overstaying cargo.

Good governance

When Rubio assumed his post on Feb. 13,  he said he would also push for good governance by implementing sustainable reforms such as review and revision of policies and procedures by digitalizing all the BOC processes and enhancing the competencies and integrity of personnel.

Rubio also vowed to foster a data-driven culture to ensure the use of data gathered in the decision-making at every level of the BOC, and linking actions and heeding feedback and evaluation from partners and stakeholders.

The BOC veteran joined the agency 21 years ago as a special agent 1, an entry-level job under the bureau’s Enforcement and Security Service.