The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has redefined the role of its personnel in the process of goods transfer between Ecozone Logistics Service Enterprise (Else) facilities and partner Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) locators utilizing the Electronic Zone Transfer System (e-ZTS).
Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 40-2015 has specified BOC personnel’s responsibilities to ensure adequate security for the goods being transferred.
It will guarantee that only duly approved goods are withdrawn/transferred; goods that may have diverted from the intended destination can be identified; and intended transfer is successfully delivered at the approved destination.
Under the CMO, Customs employees assigned in Peza shall be limited to: a) approval of General Transportation and Surety Bond (GTSB); b) selective examination of goods covered by the electronic zone transfer of document, or e-ZTD, both prior to exit from ELSE and upon to specific destination; c) support tracking transfer; d) support initiation at the earliest possible recovery operation for divided transfer and certification of GTSB; and e) support the spot – checking of destination warehouse.
Deputy Commissioner Agaton Uvero noted that the implementation of the e-ZTS in July promoted transparency and facilitated transactions among Peza locators and will further reduce the cost of doing business for the exporters.
“The e-ZTS will also allow both Customs and Peza authorities to monitor, in real time, the transfer and movement of tax- and duty-free goods among the ecozones, thereby reducing the possibility of illegal transfers and withdrawals of goods into the domestic market,” he said.
The issuance of CMO 40-2015 is one of many steps that are taken by the BOC to be on a par with the international customs standards.