BOC extends partnership with WTO, UN on cross-border e-commerce

On Oct 4, 2026

PHILIPPINE Customs Deputy Commissioner Atty. Agaton Uvero (front, left), emphasizes a point during the high-level visit to the agency of officials from the International Trade Center (ITC), September 21, 2026 (photo: BOC-PIAD).

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced it is extending its partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, in prioritizing its digitization process anchored on faster cross-border e-commerce transactions during the ITC’s high-level courtesy call last September 21.

Deputy Commissioner Atty. Agaton O. Uvero of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) who attended the meeting on behalf of the agency, emphasized the need for customs procedures and systems to keep pace with the continued growth of e-commerce.

The renewed partnership, under the Joint Programme on Inclusive, Competitive, and Responsible Digital Philippines (DIGIPINAS), would support the BOC’s efforts to modernize customs processes, facilitate legitimate trade, strengthen border security, and enhance revenue collection.

The discussions focused on international developments in de minimis treatment, the BOC’s existing manual processes for e-commerce clearance and statistical reporting, and the need to harmonize customs procedures across relevant freeports and economic zones.

Depcomm. Uvero also underscored the importance of distinguishing between high- and low-risk shipments and developing clearance procedures that are responsive to the unique characteristics of e-commerce transactions.

The renewed collaboration between the BOC and the ITC aligns with the Marcos administration’s effort to advance digitization across all government agencies and facilitate trade.

It also seeks to make cross-border trade processes clearer, more efficient, and more accessible to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), while strengthening inter-agency coordination and supporting the wider adoption of digital trade across sectors.

Through the partnership, the BOC and ITC would map the end-to-end cross-border e-commerce clearance processes at the Port of Clark and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The findings will help identify practical improvements in customs procedures, risk management, and digital systems, the BOC said.