BOC Celebrates International Customs Day 2024, Affirms Commitment to Forge New Alliances

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio reaffirmed the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) commitment in cultivating new alliances and fostering enhanced stakeholders’ engagement for a more responsive, adaptive, and resilient customs administration during the commemoration of International Customs Day on January 29, 2024.

In the previous year, the BOC has established strong connections not just with stakeholders but also with other agencies, organizations, and customs counterparts.

To cite a few examples, all 10 Customs Administrations of ASEAN Member States, including the Philippines, signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement for their Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programs to establish a transparent trading environment.

Additionally, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development’s ASEAN Policy Implementation (API), the Bureau participated in training sessions to capacitate its personnel in the implementation of the ASEAN Customs Declaration Document, which aims to enhance customs practices and develop synergies with other ASEAN member countries.

Likewise, the Bureau joined and hosted numerous events, discussions and assemblies last year, which include: the 34th Meeting of the ASEAN Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation Working Group, the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Trade Facilitation Cluster, the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Single Window Steering Committee, to further boost international relations, broaden networks, and enhance customs management through knowledge and best practice sharing.