Customs revenue rises to P701 B in 9 months

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P701.04 billion from January to September, 1.5 percent or nearly P10.4 billion higher than last year’s collection of P690 billion.

- By MARCO LUIS BEECH

While growth was modest, the figure still reflected a positive expansion compared to previous months, its top official said.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said that revenues significantly improved starting in July, despite a steady revenue stream from January to June due to various external factors.

Customs collections from July to August grew by 2.3 percent to P162.61 billion from P158.9 billion in the same period last year. Meanwhile, from January to June, BOC collection posted a growth of less than one percent to P458.7 billion.