BOC missed 2025 revenue goal amid import slowdown
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected over P930 billion in revenues in 2025, coming in softer than the agency’s target amid lower import volumes, the suspension of rice imports and fluctuations in global commodity prices.
In a statement, the agency said it had collected P934.4 billion in revenues from January to December 2025, falling 2.5 percent short of the full-year target of P958.7 billion.
The shortfall amounted to roughly P24 billion. However, total collections were still higher than in 2024, up 1.9 percent or P17.7 billion.
“The performance highlighted the positive impact of the bureau’s efficiency, strengthened compliance measures and the expanded use of digital systems in sustaining revenue collection,” the agency said.
The target miss had already been expected, as domestic and global headwinds weighed on imports.
In an earlier interview, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno noted that import volumes had slipped by 3 percent in October, with consumption-driven imports falling 20 percent. This was largely due to disrupted working days from a string of typhoons.
The import slowdown was further exacerbated by the rice import ban from September to December, which Nepomuceno said had wiped out an estimated P3 billion in potential revenues.
Further, foregone collections from rice alone could have reached P6 billion, though official figures are yet to be released.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go has also signaled that revenue collections are likely to come in below targets due to “extraordinary” circumstances, including the flood control corruption scandal.
On the enforcement side, the BOC conducted more than 1,000 operations that seized smuggled and prohibited goods worth over P61.7 billion.
“These outcomes reflected strengthened intelligence coordination, enhanced risk profiling and closer collaboration with law enforcement and regulatory agencies,” the BOC said.
The agency also improved oversight of bonded warehouses and expanded the use of nonintrusive inspection technologies to ensure compliance while minimizing disruption to legitimate trade.
