Tobacco, food, pharma firms top Customs taxpayers in 2022

MANILA, Philippines — Firms involved in the food sector, tobacco production and pharmaceutical topped the list of taxpayers of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) last year.

BOC’s post audit clearance group (PCAG) recently recognized top taxpayers and importers for 2022 for their tax compliance.

Mondelez Philippines Inc., the local unit of the American multinational food and snack company, Japan Tobacco International Inc., and GSK Philippines Inc., a British-owned pharmaceutical and biotech firm, dominated the top 20 importers last year.

These are based on their settlement of deficient duties and taxes that contributed to the positive collection performance of PCAG.

The PCAG secured P1.84 billion in deficient Customs duties, taxes, penalties, and interests as part of last year’s collections.

Food giant Nestle Philippines Inc., and leading nutritional company Wyeth Philippines Inc. were recognized as top taxpayers based on their consistent voluntary disclosures to the BOC.

Other top taxpayers based on duties and taxes paid include consumer goods firm Unilever Philippines Inc., multinational energy corporation Chevron Philippines Inc., and Switzerland-based pharma company Novartis HealthCare Philippines Inc.

Also included in the top 10 are Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing Philippines Inc., and carmaker Toyota Motor Philippines.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the agency recognizes stakeholders for their contributions to the country’s revenue generation.

Rubio said  this enables the government to provide better welfare support and implement national development programs.

“In return, we will improve Customs services and procedures for efficient trade facilitation,” he said.

For 2023, Customs is tasked by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee to generate P901.34 billion, up 4.45 percent from last year’s P862.9 billion.

Internally, the BOC has set a higher target of P921 billion even amid expectations of an economic slowdown due to a looming global recession.

As the second largest revenue agency, the BOC is mandated to deliver financial resources to fund the government’s programs and projects.