Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has signed Customs Memorandum Order Number 06-2026, creating the Top Importers Office (TIO), advancing the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) commitment to faster, more transparent, and more efficient trade processes.
The TIO will serve as the BOC’s central coordinating office and primary point of contact for top importers, exporters, and key third parties engaged in customs-related operations. The Office is expected to strengthen coordination, facilitate the resolution of operational concerns, and support the secure and seamless movement of goods.
Under the Order, top importers shall be identified using objective and risk-based criteria, including customs revenue contribution, transaction volume and value, compliance history, and overall economic significance. The roster shall likewise be subject to periodic review and monitoring to ensure continued compliance and accountability.
“This initiative strengthens trust between the Bureau of Customs and the trade community while ensuring that facilitation remains anchored on integrity and compliance,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said. “Through the TIO, we are building a customs environment that is more responsive, transparent, and supportive of legitimate trade and economic growth.”
The initiative is expected to enhance supply chain efficiency, promote predictability in customs processes, reduce unnecessary bottlenecks, and improve engagement between the Bureau and key stakeholders in the trade sector.
The creation of the TIO is a key pillar of the Bureau’s Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) agenda, reinforcing transparent processes, stakeholder accountability, and globally aligned customs practices.
It also supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to enhance ease of doing business and strengthen the country’s economic competitiveness through streamlined government services.
With the TIO, the Bureau of Customs, under the leadership of Commissioner Nepomuceno, takes another step toward a modern, service-oriented institution that facilitates legitimate trade while safeguarding revenue and national interests.
