On July 10, 2025, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the Philippines, under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, issued a landmark memorandum strictly prohibiting all customs officials, employees, and personnel from holding any commercial or financial interests in customs brokerage businesses.

The reform aims to eliminate conflicts of interest within the agency and enhance transparency in customs operations. It has been described as one of the strictest anti-conflict-of-interest policies in the history of the BOC, reaffirming the agency's commitment to ethical service and regulatory compliance.

The directive draws upon provisions from the Philippine Constitution and relevant civil service regulations, which prohibit government officials and employees from engaging in private business activities that may compromise public service integrity. Specifically, full-time public servants are barred from participating in any private commercial activity without written authorization. The new customs policy goes further by completely banning any direct or indirect involvement in customs brokerage operations—this includes roles such as owners, founders, shareholders, partners, consultants, or any other capacity that could raise ethical concerns.

Importantly, the memorandum requires all customs personnel to submit a notarized sworn declaration within 10 days of issuance. This declaration must disclose any consanguinity or affinity within four degrees of relation to individuals engaged in customs brokerage, regardless of their specific role or status in the business. It must also include the full name, address, and contact information of the related customs brokerage firm. Even if the individual has already ended their association with a brokerage firm within the past five years—such as through company closure, transfer of shares, or removal from incorporation records—they are still required to disclose this information.

Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized that the reform is in strict compliance with BOC internal orders and aligns with the agency’s integrity roadmap. It prohibits customs officials from entering into business dealings that could compromise their duties, including holding interests or positions in private entities under the regulation or supervision of the Bureau.

The memorandum clearly states that violations of the policy will result in sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Commissioner Nepomuceno described the measure as a decisive step toward institutional integrity: “This is not just a policy—it is a formal declaration of the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to place public interest above personal gain. There will be no tolerance for practices that compromise fairness or impartiality.”

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