The Philippines’ Bureau of Customs is ramping up its campaign against illicit trade after intercepting an estimated ₱980 million worth of illicit cigarettes hidden in 25 container vans at a private wharf in Mandaue City, Cebu. Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno framed the latest seizure as part of an "all-out war" on smuggling and coupled the enforcement drive with a one-strike policy for erring customs personnel.

Customs officials from the Port of Cebu, acting under a Letter of Authority and Mission Order issued on July 2 pursuant to Section 224 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, moved to inspect 25 identified 20-foot containers at the private facility. All of the containers were found to contain illicit cigarettes, according to the bureau. The operation was carried out in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Nepomuceno said the Cebu seizure is among the bureau’s latest actions targeting the illegal tobacco trade, building on a series of recent apprehensions of illicit cigarettes valued in the billions of pesos. He warned that as border controls are tightened, smuggling syndicates are adjusting their operations, including by using private wharves and vessels to bypass regular customs checks and evade Philippine customs laws.

Investigators are now working to determine the origin of the cigarettes and identify those behind the shipment, as authorities assess the scope of potential violations of customs and related laws. The bureau has not yet disclosed the brands involved, the consignee or consignees of the intercepted cargo, or whether any arrests have been made. Nepomuceno said the zero-tolerance stance on both smugglers and rogue insiders is meant to reinforce border protection and signal that the agency is prepared to pursue complex cases as smuggling methods evolve.

Hong Kong is easing cross-border requirements for visiting yachts as the government accelerates efforts to position the city as an Asian hub for marine leisure and tourism. The Maritime Department has introduced three measures that simplify approval procedures and speed up customs and immigration handling for foreign-registered pleasure craft, targeting yacht owners in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and beyond.

At the core of the revamp is an upgraded electronic business system that went live on the day of the announcement. Owners or captains of visiting yachts can now open personal accounts directly on the platform, without going through a local agent. They can file vessel, crew and passenger information in advance for pre-clearance by relevant departments and complete customs procedures and payments online, in what officials describe as a one-stop digital process.

The Maritime Department is also relaxing berthing requirements that previously obliged visiting yachts to secure a berth at a privately operated marina or pier before entering Hong Kong. A new dynamic monitoring system allows eligible yachts equipped with an automatic identification system and very high frequency radio to navigate freely and anchor within designated areas, provided operations remain safe and orderly. Five anchorages for visiting yachts have been set aside at Stanley Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Repulse Bay, Kei Ling Ha in Sai Kung, and Tai O.

To make it easier for captains from mainland China to meet local qualification standards, Hong Kong has authorized relevant mainland institutions to run examinations on Hong Kong waters knowledge and approved seven training providers to offer recognized courses. The first cohort of mainland captains passed exams or completed training in mid-month, and authorities say they plan to extend the arrangement to overseas locations in due course. The government and the Maritime Department will monitor how the new regime operates and adjust it as needed, while pledging to work closely with mainland counterparts and the tourism industry to foster what they describe as a healthy, sustainable and competitive environment for Hong Kong’s yacht economy.