The Bureau of Customs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at approximately P4.3 million from a departing passenger at NAIA Terminal 1 on Friday, February 21—well beyond the USD 10,000 limit.
The seized currency, totaling USD 74,877, included JPY 3.95 million, EUR 20,000, and KWD 8,500.
Customs personnel flagged the suspicious items during a routine X-ray screening of a Filipino national’s hand-carried luggage, bound for Hong Kong. A subsequent physical examination revealed concealed bundles of foreign currencies that the passenger had failed to declare.
Inquest proceedings have been initiated against the passenger for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions (as amended by several central bank circulars), The New Central Bank Act, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
This action supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to implement the National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, and Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy (NACS) 2023–2027, highlighting the government’s commitment to safeguarding financial integrity and national security.
Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio emphasized that the Bureau’s latest seizure is part of its ongoing efforts to enforce cross-border currency regulations. “This apprehension further demonstrates the crucial role of the Bureau of Customs in the Philippines’ recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force’s Grey List. It underscores our commitment to upholding cross-border declaration and security measures to prevent cash smuggling and protect the nation’s economic interests.”
In 2024, BOC-NAIA made 158 interceptions of undeclared or falsely declared currencies—nearly 20 times more than in 2023. From January 2025 to date, the bureau has recorded 28 currency-related apprehensions, reflecting its continued efforts to combat illicit monetary flows.
Under the leadership of District Collector Yasmin O. Mapa, BOC-NAIA remains dedicated to enforcing customs laws and international financial regulations while protecting the nation’s borders from financial crimes.
