This has reference to the news article entitled “Traders must brace for more shipping problems until 2023”published in BusinessMirror on November 19, 2021. The said article mentioned the Bureau of Customs (BOC) limiting the number of reefer containers coming in by rationing reefer plugs in the ports in Manila.
In the interest of service, we wish to clarify that the regulation of reefer plugs in various ports nationwide is not under the jurisdiction of BOC. Hence, the agency does not ration the reefer plugs in the port areas.
Asian Terminals, Inc., (ATI) and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) are the arrastre operators of the two major ports in Manila. The said companies are responsible for the reefer plugs utilized by the brokers and/or consignees of reefer containers while inside their container yards. BOC has no authority and control over the renting out and rationing of reefer plugs.
The Bureau of Customs remains proactive in finding remedies to address the challenges faced by our stakeholders within our area of jurisdiction.
Thank you very much for your usual support of BOC’s thrust of transparent and efficient public dissemination.
Atty. Vincent Philip C. Maronilla
Spokesman and Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Customs