Philippines Blocks U.S. E-Waste Shipment at Subic Port

NEW YORK - Philippine customs authorities prevented three containers of electronic waste from the United States from being unloaded at the Port of Subic after the shipment was classified as potentially hazardous or toxic waste.

The Bureau of Customs said the containers arrived aboard the MV Tokyo Express on July 22 from New York, United States.

Port of Subic District Collector Atty. Genniefelle Lagmay ordered port officials not to discharge the containers after authorities determined that they contained electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste.

The vessel departed Subic on July 23 with the three containers still on board after the shipment was denied entry.

Customs officials said the decision was made in accordance with Republic Act No. 6969, or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, as well as the Philippines’ obligations under the Basel Convention.

The international agreement seeks to regulate the movement of hazardous waste across national borders and prevent developing countries from becoming dumping grounds for toxic materials.

The United States has signed but has not ratified the Basel Convention, while the Philippines has been a party to the agreement since 1993.

Under the convention, the shipment of hazardous waste between a member country and a non-member country is generally prohibited unless a separate agreement allowing the transfer is in place.

The latest interception comes amid growing concern over alleged shipments of electronic waste from the United States to Subic.

Environmental groups have claimed that more than 200 containers of suspected e-waste and at least one container of plastic waste have arrived in the area since 2025. However, Philippine authorities have not confirmed that all the containers contained prohibited hazardous materials.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority previously said some companies had obtained importation clearances from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for recyclable materials, including electronic assemblies and scrap metals.

Environmental advocates argued that the shipments should still be treated as hazardous waste because discarded electronics may contain lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxic substances that could endanger workers, communities and the environment.

The issue has also become the subject of a legal dispute over whether certain recyclable materials may be imported into the Subic Freeport under existing environmental regulations.

The Bureau of Customs has not publicly identified the American exporter or the intended Philippine recipient of the three containers. Officials have also not disclosed the shipment’s total weight, the specific electronic items inside or whether laboratory testing was conducted.

It also remains unclear whether the rejected containers will be returned to the United States or transported to another destination.