The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported that it has seized more than P23 billion worth of counterfeit goods since January.
The BOC said it conducted anti-smuggling operations that led to 603 seizures valued at P23.851 billion from January to June 2023.
The largest haul was the seizure of counterfeit signature bags, shoes, and other products amounting to at least P10 billion in a raid on a storage facility in Binondo, Manila in March this year.
The BOC found fake imported brands of shoes, clothing apparel, beauty products, kitchenware, and electronics. The counterfeit goods have infringed trademarks such as Adidas, Coach, Christian Dior, Guess, Gucci, Nike, and Louis Vuitton, the BOC said.
The bureau likewise seized P86 million worth of misdeclared sugar from Hong Kong at Subic Port last March 15; P1.4 billion worth of imported cigarettes at a Sulu warehouse last March 2; and intercepted P3.8 million worth of shabu at a warehouse in NAIA last May 8.
Aside from the confiscation of smuggled goods, at least 74 criminal complaints were filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ), while two administrative complaints were lodged with the Professional Regulation Commission against individuals who violated customs laws.
The BOC also said it continues to streamline procedures and improve trade facilitation which in turn produced outcomes as the Philippines has ascended 17 spots in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI), now ranking 43rd out of 139 countries.
From January to June, Customs exceeded its revenue target by recording a total collection of P433.433 billion, surpassing the goal by 3.04 percent or P12.768 billion.
Rubio also said that the Philippines was recently delisted from the priority watch list of the European Union (EU) for the first time. “This means that the country has been doing well in terms of protecting intellectual property rights,” the BOC chief said.
The BOC is the second biggest collection agency of the government behind the Bureau of Internal Revenue and contributes about a quarter of the government’s income.