THE Bureau of Customs on Friday said its total revenue collections last year rose by 34 percent on an annual basis to a record high of P862.929 billion on the back of higher imports and better system of collection.
The BOC added that it surpassed its revenue collection target last year of P721.52 billion by 19.6 percent based on its preliminary report. The BOC collected P643.562 billion in 2021.
“It was the first time in the BOC’s history that all ports exceeded their annual collection targets per the BOC Financial Service,” the bureau said in a statement.
The BOC said its Post-Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) collected P1.840 billion in deficient Customs duties, taxes, penalties, and interests as part, surpassing its 2021 collection of P1.522 billion by 21 percent and its target collection of P1.584 billion by 16 percent.
“The Group bolstered the BOC Post Clearance Audit and Post Modification through the Computer-Aided Risk Management System (CARMS), which was implemented in August 2022. The system provides critical information for traders to measure and improve Customs compliance,” it added.
The BOC said it also raised P292 million from public auctions of overstaying cargoes.
“The public auction of seized, forfeited, or abandoned containers generated additional revenues for the government and decongested the ports of the Bureau for more efficient trade facilitation,” it said.
The BOC noted that Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz warned unscrupulous individuals against smuggling, and other forms of Customs fraud as the Bureau “pursues to heighten its border protection efforts to combat revenue leakages and increase the collection of lawful revenues for the Philippine government.”
“Commissioner Ruiz continues to lead the BOC in implementing the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to boost revenue collection, strengthen border control, and enhance trade facilitation while curbing corruption and gearing toward a modernized Customs administration,” BOC said.
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