Customs eyes P1.1 trillion collection for 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is raising its 2026 revenue collection target to more than P1 trillion for the first time as it vows to implement stricter enforcement measures and boost anti-smuggling efforts.

In a radio interview, newly appointed Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the agency is targeting to collect P1.1 trillion next year.

“The target for next year is P1.1 trillion. It’s almost the same for this year, but we’re still far from it – not even halfway there. So we will do our best to catch up. That is the President’s directive,” Nepomuceno said.

The revenue target of the  BOC for this year, however, has been slashed by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee to just P990 billion from the original target of P1.06 trillion due to lower tariffs and expected weak import growth.

If achieved, the 2026 goal will be 11 percent higher than this year’s revenue assumption.

In May alone, the BOC incurred a seven-percent decline in collection to P75.7 billion due to the impact of reduced tariffs particularly on rice and battery-powered electric vehicles.

“The country relies on the  Bureau of Internal Revenue and the BOC to fund government spending,” Nepomuceno said.

“Otherwise, if we fail to meet the target, we will be forced to borrow – and the country’s debt is already very high,” he said.

To meet next year’s target, Nepomuceno said the BOC is banking on digitalization to collect revenues as it minimizes human intervention and reduces opportunities for corruption.

He added that using verified digital systems and third-party surveyors would make it harder to alter shipment details, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in Customs processes.