The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized a total of PHP13.5 billion worth of smuggled and prohibited goods nationwide since January this year, including PHP5.6 billion worth of illicit tobacco shipments.
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno reported at the 3rd International Tobacco Agriculture Summit on Thursday that the figure represents all illicit trade seized year-to-date (January–June 2026).
Based on BOC data, vape products account for PHP1.6 billion of the total PHP5.6 billion worth of illegal tobacco trade during the period.
However, the BOC chief emphasized that seizing these illegal products is just one part of the solution. “A successful anti-illicit trade campaign does not end at the port, warehouse, checkpoints, or interception sites. The ultimate measure of success is accountability,” he pointed out.
The BOC chief was referring to those responsible for financing, organizing, and facilitating illegal trade, who, he stressed, must be “identified, investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable under the law.” This is why the BOC places great importance on cooperation with other government agencies, including the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the National Prosecution Service.
“Through this partnership, we strengthen the entire enforcement continuum, from intelligence gathering and evidence collection, to case build-up, to investigation, prosecution, and conviction,” he said.
“This collaborative approach ensures that our law enforcement actions translate into strong, prosecutable cases and sends a clear message that illicit traders will not only lose their goods, they will also face the full force of the law,” he said.
At the same time, the BOC chief reiterated the agency’s aggressive efforts to modernize Customs operations through technology, risk management, intelligence-driven targeting, and enhanced interagency information sharing.
“These initiatives enable us to detect threats more effectively while facilitating legitimate trade and supporting economic growth,” he said. Together with other government agencies, he said the BOC is building a strong enforcement ecosystem—one that not only intercepts illegal goods but also dismantles criminal networks and protects lawful commerce.
Meanwhile, Atty. Kathyrin Pioquinto of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) revealed in a speech at the same event that some companies have put expansion plans on hold due to the prevalence of tobacco smuggling in the country.
These companies, which she did not identify, are also considering expanding their operations in other ASEAN countries. Other data showed that illicit tobacco now accounts for 25 percent of the domestic tobacco market in the Philippines.
Data presented at the summit also showed that the Philippines records the highest incidence of illicit e-vapes at 85.6 percent among countries where e-vapes are legal. This means that more than four out of five e-vapes sold in the country are illicit products.
