Customs 2021 collections exceed pre-pandemic levels

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) collected P645.77 billion in 2021, exceeding the P630.31 billion generated in 2019, the last year before the pandemic, as international trade rebounded after the 2020 economic downturn.

Collections last year were about 20% higher than the P537 billion logged in 2020 and 4.7% above the bureau’s target, the bureau said in a statement on Monday.

“The BoC’s positive revenue collection performance is attributed to the improved valuation, intensified enforcement operations against illegal importations, and improved compliance by traders with customs laws,” the bureau said.

Gradually improving import volumes and efforts to improve goods transport during the pandemic also contributed to higher collections, the BoC added.

Customs collections declined by 14% in 2020.

In December 2021, the bureau collected P62.48 billion, which exceeded its target for the month by more than 20%.

Of the 17 collection districts, 13 exceeded their targets for the year.

These include the Port of San Fernando, Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Port of Batangas, Port of Legaspi, and Port of Iloilo.

The Ports of Surigao, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark and Limay, Bataan also surpassed their 2021 targets. — Jenina P. Ibañez