The Bureau of Customs (BOC) appoints the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI) as the National Issuing and Guaranteeing Association (NIGA) for the ATA Carnet implementation in the country. PCCI will be the issuer of temporary admission papers, also known as merchandise passports, which allow temporary admission of goods, duties and tax-free for one year (maximum) within and among the ATA Carnet member countries and territories.

The appointment is in line with the Customs Administrative Order No. 2-2022 issued on 18 March 2022, following the 1990 Istanbul Convention covering duty and tax-free goods conditionally. Under the said Convention, the PCCI, as the NIGA, will guarantee payment of import duties and taxes payable to the BOC should the goods allowed for temporary admission exceed the one year allowed by the system.  PCCI is still for compliance with the ICC WCF World ATA Council’s accreditation before the Philippines can implement the Carnet system fully.

Implementing the Carnet system in the country will benefit those businesses especially those that cater to Tourism MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Events). This initiative will reduce costs, simplify customs formalities, and ease the process of doing business in general.AGPM