As of February 6, 2026, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) NAIA reported the turnover of over ₱36 million worth of forfeited agarwood shipments to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The agency remains vigilant against smuggling, with significant seizures of this highly valued, regulated, and endangered fragrant wood occurring frequently throughout 2025.
Recent Agarwood Seizure Highlights:
- February 2026: BOC-NAIA turned over over ₱36 million worth of forfeited agarwood to the DENR.
- February 6, 2025: The Bureau of Customs intercepted P750,000 worth of smuggled agarwood in a Pasay City warehouse, which was declared as “dried wood chips”.
- November 2025: The Bureau of Customs foiled the export of ₱8.4 million worth of misdeclared agarwood disguised as “alingatong stinging nettle”.
- September 2025: BOC-NAIA intercepted ₱9.3 million worth of agarwoodmisdeclared as wood chips.
- August 2025: BOC-NAIA intercepted ₱31.6 million worth of agarwood in an outbound cargo.
Key Points:
- Violations: Attempts to smuggle agarwood violate the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147), and Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines (PD 705).
- Enforcement: The BOC, under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, continues to strengthen efforts against the illegal trade of this protected species.
- Regulation: Exporting or collecting agarwood requires permits from the DENR; unauthorized possession or trade is illegal.