The Manila Times

BoC further enhances trade facilitation programs

BY GENIVI VERDEJO

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has accelerated the digitalization of customs processes and operations to enhance trade facilitation and to keep port efficiency.

Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz remained steadfast in enhancing trade facilitation and to continue initiatives in providing quality service to the stakeholders and the public.

The BoC implemented seven digitalization projects in 2022, namely the Liquidation and Billing System (LBS); Electronic Customs Baggage and Currencies Declaration (iDeclare) System; Raw Materials Liquidation System, National Customs Intelligence System (NCIS); Electronic-2-Mobile (E2M)-Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (Etracc) System; Payment Application Secure 6 (PAS6); and Asean Customs Declaration Document (ACDD) System.

The LBS is a platform used by the bureau’s Liquidation and Billing Division to send notices and demand letters as needed.

The iDeclare enables passengers and crew members to submit their baggage and currency declaration forms before arrival and departure.

The Raw Materials Liquidation System determines the volume and value of the raw materials exported, subject to liquidation, including the duties and taxes due on the allowable residues/wastages/by-products and other portions of the imported article/s entered through warehousing but no longer usable for the manufacture of the articles for export.

The NCIS stores data from all the Intelligence sources via Web forms and Excel format.

The E2M-Etracc integration allows E2M to exchange data with the Etracc to provide and capture the actual arrival time of containers at the destination.

The PAS6 is an upgraded version of the Payment Application Secure 5 (PAS5) system for more efficient payment facilitation. The added feature ensures an accurate and immediate exchange of transaction information on the assessment details of payable duties and taxes.

Lastly, the ACDD, a digital tool that exchanges customs declaration documents with Asean states, is expected to improve bureaucratic efficiency and reduce barriers to entry.

BoC continued to facilitate the onboarding of Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGA) into the National Single Window (NSW). In 2022, 22 TRGAs were onboarded into the NSW platform. Four TRGAs used the live environment, while 18 TRGAs were onboarded in the staging environment.

Ruiz ordered all ports to expedite the disposition of all forfeited and abandoned goods to prevent high yard utilization.

As a result, the BoC disposed of 1,325 overstaying containers, 443 containers loaded with rice and galvanized steel and other items were auctioned off, 841 containers were condemned, and 41 containers were donated to various government agencies.

The BoC also inaugurated the Authorized Economic Office last December 19 to institutionalize AEO Philippines.

The AEO is a critical component of the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of Standards to promote the seamless movement of goods through secure international trade supply chains.

Maritime And Logistics

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2023-01-25T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-25T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/282003266552752

The Manila Times