The shipment of undeclared cigarettes intercepted by the customs bureau during an operation at the Port of Batangas on March 5, 2026. The shipment, worth more than PHP230 million, came from the United Arab Emirates. (Photo from BOC)
Authorities from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a shipment of undeclared cigarettes valued at more than ₱230 million during a recent anti-smuggling operation at the Port of Batangas, dealing another major blow to illicit tobacco trade in the country.
In a statement released Saturday, the BOC said a physical examination conducted on March 5 uncovered 637 cases of cigarettes bearing the brand MAC, with an estimated market value of around ₱235 million. The shipment was found to be undocumented and not supported by the required importation permits.
Further verification revealed that the consignee listed in the shipment was not authorized to import cigarettes, raising strong suspicions that the cargo was part of an attempt to illegally bring regulated tobacco products into the Philippines.
The operation was triggered by intelligence information received by the BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service regarding a shipment from the United Arab Emirates believed to contain cigarettes.
According to the report, the vessel M/V Ever Cast, bound for Batangas, was suspected of carrying a container loaded with the illegal goods. Initial checks revealed that the container was not reflected in key shipping records, including the Bill of Lading, the Inward Foreign Manifest, and the Discharge List—prompting authorities to flag the shipment and request a more thorough inspection.
Following days of monitoring vessel arrivals, customs officials eventually confirmed that the suspicious container was indeed on board the M/V Ever Cast when it arrived at the port on February 14.
Prior to the container’s discharge, the BOC-Port of Batangas issued a pre-lodgement control order (PLCO) to ensure the shipment would undergo strict inspection procedures.
The seized cargo is now under investigation for possible violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, including Section 1400 on misdeclaration, misclassification, and undervaluation of goods, and Section 117 on regulated importation and exportation, in relation to Section 1113 which covers property subject to forfeiture.
Authorities said the case forms part of the bureau’s intensified campaign against smuggling and illegal tobacco trade, which continues to deprive the government of billions in tax revenues while undermining legitimate businesses.