Trade Policy & Procedures Simplification

7th April 20217th April 2021

BOC temporarily suspends the Automated Bonds Management System on transit shipments

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) temporarily suspends the Automated Bonds Management System (ABMS) implementation on transit shipments under CMO 30-2020 from 15 March 2021 up to 04 April 2021.

CMO 30-2020 applies to all Transit Bond Accounts opened under the electronic-to-mobile (E2M) Customs System in all Collection Districts, including sub-ports and other BOC offices.
This policy deferment was adopted to avoid further delays in the delivery of raw materials needed for export. The Value-Added Service Providers (VASPs) encountered system glitches wherein transit shipments bound for PEZA zones cannot be seen in the system to be tagged “ARRIVED” as it reaches the zone.

7th April 2021

ARTA mandates the on-boarding of 73 TRGAs to the TradeNet platform

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) directs the mandatory onboarding of the 73 Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs) to the TradeNet through the issuance of Memorandum Circular (MC) 2021-01 last 05 March 2021. TradeNet is an online platform that harmonizes all licenses and permits for imports and exports.

8th March 20218th March 2021

Bureau of Customs accords the five years validity period of the Product Evaluation Report

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) accords the five years validity period of the Product Evaluation Report (PER) of exports conforming with the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and all the other Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

This amended policy transpired after the exporters protested the issuance of AOCG Memo No. 67 2021 ‘Evaluation of Goods Applying for Certificate of Origin (CO)’ on 05 February 2021, which shortened the PER validity from five years to three years. BOC released a memorandum on 10 February 2021 in response to the exporter’s clamor to amend the said AOCG memo reverting the five-year validity period instead of three years.

4th February 2021

BOC upholds strict implementation of its Online Release System

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) upholds the strict implementation of the Online Release System (OLRs) effective on 11 January 2021. It requires the proper format of the registry number when filling out the export Single Administrative Document (SAD) in the Electronic-to-Mobile (E2M) system. Clerical errors due to incorrect registry numbers indicated in the export declaration is subjected to a PHP 5,000.00 fine as stipulated under AOCG Memo 25-2021 ‘Guidelines on the Wrong Encoding of Registry Numbers in the Export Declaration in the E2M System’ in accordance with CAO 1-2020.

5th January 20218th January 2021

BOC mandates onboarding of TRGA’s to TradeNet by March 2021

EDC lauds the pronouncement made by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) AOCG Deputy Commissioner Edward Dy Buco that stakeholders can expect enhanced trade facilitation with the Bureau in 2021. He added that the Commissioner assures its support towards export growth by prioritizing export-related activities in the Bureau’s 10-Point Priority Program for the upcoming year.

10th November 20204th February 2021

BOC grants certified exporters to self-certify CO application under the AWSC scheme

The ASEAN Wide Self Certification Scheme (AWSC) allows exporters, who have proven their competence, to be eligible for the preferential treatment under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) through self-certification. As such, application of the Certificate of Origin (CO) Form D is no longer required once an exporter qualified the Certified Exporters (CE) status. However, e-Form D and paper-based Form D will still be used by the exporters who have not acquired the CE status. This will bring practical benefits, reducing cost and shipment delays, in processing export cargoes even during non-work hours and weekends.

16th October 20204th February 2021

Environmental Management Bureau defers implementation of General Effluent Standards

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and National Resources defers the implementation of the General Effluent Standards (GES) under DAO- 2016-08. Said standards applies to all point sources of pollution, regardless of volume, that discharge to receiving body of water or land and shall be used regardless of the industry category.

13th August 20204th February 2021

PRRD Signed Instrument of Accession (ATA Carnet) to boost Export Promotions

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) signed the “Instrument of Accession” for the Convention of Temporary Admission of Goods (ATA Carnet), also called the Istanbul Convention last 23 June 2020. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already transmitted the signed Instrument to the House of Senate for concurrence by two-thirds (2/3) votes of its members.

13th August 20204th February 2021

Transport of Potassium Nitrate in solid form authorized by PNP

The Philippine National Police of Civil Security Group (PNP-CSG) clarified in a memorandum authorizing the transport of Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) in Aits original solid form. This order will not require potassium nitrate to be diluted in liquid form prior to transport and passing through the PNP checkpoints.

13th July 20204th February 2021

EU-REX application extended! Exporters to enjoy preferential tariffs

The Registered Exporters ‘REX’ System application was extended until 31 December 2020. This is intended for registered Filipino exporters to fully avail zero tariffs to over 6,000 categories of goods to the European Union (EU) nations under the EU Generalized System of Preferences plus (EU-GSP+) Program.