Bureau of Customs – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa announced the interception of undeclared foreign currency from an arriving passenger at NAIA Terminal 1, amounting to more than P3 million.
Mapa said that during the operations conducted on November 29, 2025, a total of JPY 10,000,000 worth P3,762,000, was found in the passenger’s possession. Of the amount, only JPY 1,560,000, or $10,000 was returned to the passenger as it falls within the allowable limit, while the remaining JPY 8,440,000 estimated at P3,175,128, was confiscated due to the passenger’s failure to declare the said amount in the e-Travel system.
“The undeclared currency constitutes violations of Sections 117, 1400, and 1401 of Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), as well as the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” said Mapa.
Meanwhile, BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno commended the vigilance of the said BOC-NAIA personnel, stating: “This interception reflects our firm commitment to enforcing cross- border reporting requirements and ensuring that illicit financial activity has no space at our ports.”
Mapa vowed that the BOC-NAIA “continues to strengthen inspection protocols and uphold stringent enforcement measures in line with the administration’s financial integrity and anti-smuggling initiatives.”
