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BY
Friday, the Philippine government will be able to
determine the contents of shipments 12 hours before they
arrive at the country’s ports, thanks to an amended
order issued and approved by the Department of Finance.
The
said order, an amendment of an earlier regulation issued
by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), required all shipping
liners, nonvessel operating common carriers, cargo
consolidators, coloaders, and break-bulk agents to
submit data regarding vessels and their cargoes a dozen
hours prior to their arrival.
Indicated in the amended Customs Administrative Order
1-2007, the advance inward foreign manifest is among the
new requirements imposed by the BOC in its efforts to
collect more revenues for the national government.
Customs Commissioner Napoleon L. Morales said on
Wednesday that the agency had to wait for the finance
department’s approval to prevent foreign shipping
vessels from directly submitting its data to government
since the process, which would cost P1 billion, was
deemed too expensive for government to implement.
According to the amended order, carriers and forwarders
will have to submit its data to BOC-accredited value
added service providers, who will also serve as the
Customs frontline staff when transacting with the
public.
Although the move to hire service providers was meant to
modernize the bureau’s operations, the BOC has yet to
accredit entities which will provide such services.
Currently, four information technology companies are
undergoing a technical evaluation. These are
Intercommerce Network Solutions, CDEC, E-Konek and
Crimson Logic.
The
bureau is also expected to impose a slew of other
requirements for shippers and carriers later in the
year. Besides being part of its operational upgrade, the
new requirements are seen to help boost its revenue
collections. The national government intends to balance
the budget before President Arroyo steps down in 2010. |
