Customs seeks talks with AmCham, US Embassy over corruption issues

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it is seeking a dialogue with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) and the US Embassy after the agency was tagged in a US report as among the Philippines’ “most corrupt.”

“We have provided information through the proper diplomatic channels to clarify our ongoing reforms and have requested a dialogue with the American Chamber of Commerce and the US Embassy to further strengthen cooperation,” the BoC said in a statement on Tuesday.

The BoC hopes to further discuss the findings of the 2025 State Department Investment Climate Statements report and explore future cooperation in promoting good governance and facilitating trade.

In its September 2025 report, the State Department said the BoC is “still considered one of the most corrupt agencies in the country,” calling corruption a major barrier to attracting investments.

It added that the US embassy has received multiple reports from US firms of overly invasive searches, inconsistent customs charges, and demands for “facilitation fees” from BoC personnel. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante