BOC and PHILEXPORT Strengthen Partnership to Enhance Trade Facilitation

At the 6th Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) meeting, held at Rizal Park Hotel, Kalaw Avenue, representatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), PHILEXPORT, and other key stakeholders gathered to address ongoing challenges in trade facilitation. The discussions focused on significant trade concerns raised in previous meetings, including the ATA Carnet system under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 8-2024, the draft CMO on Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 02-2024 related to dues, fees, and charges, and a proposal to extend the validity of Account Management Office (AMO) accreditation/renewal for compliant companies by one year.

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BOC revision of rules in Ata Carnet

The first successful use of the ATA Carnet for temporary admission took place in Switzerland on October 20, 2019, with subsequent operations following in Belgium, China, and Russia. During the pilot phase, participation was limited to selected Customs offices in these four countries. The tests verified that the eATA system functions effectively and that the ICC’s digital tools meet expectations. To support the adoption of eATA Carnets by national Customs agencies, the WCO ATA/Istanbul Administrative Committee approved a standardized notification template on November 16, 2020.

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BOC and PEZA inks Data Sharing Agreement on E-TRACC Access

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) marked a significant milestone through the official signing of the Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) on Access to the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-TRACC) system. This agreement symbolizes the enhanced efficiency and security of trade and operations within economic zones in the Philippines.

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BOC and UNESCAP cooperate for e-trade data exchange study

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific cooperated on research for an electronic trade data exchange.  The partnership falls under the UN Framework Agreement on Facilitating Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA). This UN treaty aims to expedite the implementation of digital trade facilitation measures for trade and development between ESCAP and the Philippine Bureau of Customs.

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PBBM vows to streamline further the BOC processes

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM), in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), vows to promote streamlined processes in the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Exporters may look forward to a modernized customs administration with global standards during his administration.  

BOC started the works and officially launched the Philippine Customs Modernization Program, reducing manual encoding and paper-based processes into complete computerized customs systems on 26 March 2021.  This modernization aims to streamline operations and processes by upgrading its systems, procedures, and operational activities. For more information, visit https://customs.gov.ph/philippine-customs-modernization-program/.

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BOC clarified errors not fined under CAO 1-2020

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) allowed adjustments on minor errors, misdeclaration, or misclassification in the Export Declaration (ED) form without having to pay the fines.  A fee amounting to Php 5,000 per clerical error and 250% surcharge per misdeclaration or misclassification is still imposed if discrepancies in the ED are fraudulent.   BOC identified certain conditions that may not equate to an error provided that documentary evidence is present. Also, considering that the incorrect input of data in the ED is beyond the exporter’s control, as follows: 

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DOF-BOC-ARTA headways onboarding activities of the 18 priority agencies in TradeNet

The Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with the Anti-red Tape Authority (ARTA) headways the onboarding activities of the eighteen (18) trade regulatory priority agencies in TradeNet; Six (6) of which were recently onboarded which include BAFS, SRA, FPA, EMB, NMIS and OMB. These agencies are still finalizing their module manuals, operational guidelines, and helpdesk in preparation for their live implementation. The TradeNet Steering Committee also pledged to include another twelve (12) agencies to onboard by September 2021.