THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday credited its fuel marking program (FMP) for its tax revenue in 2025 totaling P247.12 billion, or 1.9 percent higher than the P242.36 billion in 2024.
The FMP — mandated by the Train Law to fight oil smuggling, boost revenue, and ensure fair competition by verifying tax compliance through field testing — adds invisible, irreplicable chemical markers to refined or imported petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, kerosene) after tax payments.
Unmarked or diluted fuel incurs hefty duties, penalties, and potential criminal charges. The BOC and Bureau of Internal Revenue jointly conduct random testing across the supply chain.
“Our gains in 2025 demonstrate what decisive leadership and collective accountability can achieve. The [fuel marking] program remains a key measure in detecting fuel smuggling, ensuring transparency in fuel distribution, and promoting fair competition in the oil industry,” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.
Data showed 21.102 billion liters of fuel passed through the BOC in 2025, or 5.7 percent higher than the 21.102 billion liters in 2024.
The FMP, which took effect in September 2019, conducted field testing in April 2021, including random checks of gasoline, diesel and kerosene in warehouses, gas stations, storage tanks, and fuel transport vehicles such as tank trucks and vessels.
Enforcement operations
In 2025, the BOC conducted 1,024 successful enforcement operations, confiscating P61.707 billion worth of illicit goods.
Seized general commodities amounted to P28.47 billion; counterfeit goods, P17.72 billion; illegal drugs, P5.63 billion; wildlife and natural resources, P4.80 billion; and tobacco products, P1.86 billion.
In addition, 85 operations resulted in the forfeiture of P622 million worth of smuggled agricultural goods.
“From dismantling smuggling networks and enforcing strict integrity policies to ensuring the proper disposition of seized goods and strengthening the Fuel Marking Program, the BOC remains firmly committed to transparent enforcement that protects government revenue, legitimate trade, and the welfare of the Filipino people,” Nepomuceno said.
