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. 

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DOF urges trade regulatory government agencies to fully on-board TradeNet System 

The Department of Finance (DOF), in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), urges all the 76 Trade-Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs) to go on-board the TradeNet for a streamlined and electronic system thru the implementation of CMO 15-2019.  

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ECQ Bayanihan: PNP-FEO expedites issuance of PTU

The Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) suspends the ‘Payment first before issuance of Permit to Unload (PTU)’ policy in a Memorandum dated 03 April 2020 ‘Leniency on Policy of Payment for Permit to Unload in Time of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)’ followed by a letter dated 06 April 2020, clarifying further the instructions for its implementation. Continue reading “ECQ Bayanihan: PNP-FEO expedites issuance of PTU”

Customs implements globally accredited ‘AEO Program’ thru CMO 9-2020

In response for the country’s commitment to the World Customs Organization SAFE framework, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) issued CMO 9-2020 “Implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program Established Under CAO 5-2017 for Importers and Exporters” last 16 March 2020. Said memorandum revokes, amends, or modifies CMO 11-2012 and CMO 14-2013 to further beef up the AEO program. Continue reading “Customs implements globally accredited ‘AEO Program’ thru CMO 9-2020”

BOC addresses ECQ accreditation order thru OCOM Memo No. 62-2020 

On March 17, further operational guidelines under the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) concerning the implementation of the  “Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)”, ordered that “All government agencies in the Executive Branch are hereby directed to issue accreditation orders to identify their respective skeletal workforces for critical services operating during the duration of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon…” Continue reading “BOC addresses ECQ accreditation order thru OCOM Memo No. 62-2020 “

Philippines joins ASEAN exchange of electronic Certificate of Origin

The Philippines can now exchange electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO) with Indonesia and Malaysia as it joins ASEAN Single Window (ASW) Live Operation on 30 December 2019.

The e-CO refers to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Form D, an international trade document attesting that goods in a particular export shipment were wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country.

As confirmed in an email by the ASEAN Secretariat, “the remaining AMS (ASEAN Member States) will need more time to complete domestic procedures and resolving remaining technical issues”.

Consequently, the Bureau of Customs, through its Export Coordination Division (ECD) and Export Divisions in selected ports shall now issue e-CO using the TradeNet platform pursuant to Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 15-2019.

The Order governs the application, submission, and processing of e-CO and aims “to facilitate the transmission of e-CO for export products and the receipt of e-CO for imported products.” Meanwhile, the TradeNet covers the functions of the Philippine National Single Window (PNSW). It serves as an automated permit, licensing, and clearance system integrated into one platform for 66 Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs) and 10 economic zones. ARB

Food exporters can now secure Export/Commodity Clearance in one day

October 2019, food exporters can now secure Food Export Certificate and Commodity Clearance in one day following the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) move to streamline its process and revision of application form. The old process requires exporters to wait 2-3 days to secure Export/Commodity Clearance.

In an advisory presented during the FDA Forum with Food Exporters on 22 October 2019, it noted that “In consonance with the provision of Republic Act No. 11032 otherwise known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”, the Common Services Laboratory (CSL) revised the current application forms template and process flow in the application of Food Export Certificate and Food Commodity Clearance”. Commodity Clearance is used to prove that the export product is freely sold in the country and safe for human consumption.

To apply for Export/Commodity Clearance, applicants shall submit two (2) copies of accomplished Application Form, photocopies of License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration, Packing List or Sales Invoice and flash drive (will be returned to applicant) containing the filled templates of the draft Certificates and database.

Revised application form and process flow can be downloaded in the FDA website.

Exporters shall proceed to FDA-Common Services Laboratory office at Starmall Alabang. However, for applicants outside Metro Manila, regional/online application is targeted to be implemented by FDA in 2020.

Instrument of accession to the Istanbul Convention for ATA Carnet awaits President’s approval 

The instrument of Philippine accession to the Customs Convention on ATA Carnet for the Temporary Admission of Goods or the Istanbul Convention is now at the Office of the President for his signature.

The ATA Carnet system is an international scheme that will allow temporary admission and tax-free and duty-free importation of commercial samples, professional equipment and articles for presentation or use in trade fairs, shows, and exhibitions without customs formalities.

The system will also allow traders to use ATA Carnet secured by an international guarantee system. The ATA Carnet is a single document of goods that will pass through several customs territories and will be valid up to one (1) year. It will foster free movement of goods between countries, thus saving costs and time in clearing goods at the border. Failure to re-export all goods listed on the Carnet will result in the payment of applicable duties.

The Department of Finance (DOF), in a letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) dated 8 August 2019, requested the preparation of the Instrument of Accession subject to certain conditions. It also underscored that the Convention will “help promote efficiency, consistent with the Administration’s policy of promoting ease of doing business and efficient service delivery.”

Relevant government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tariff Commission signified their support by submitting their respective Certificates of Concurrence (COC) to the DFA through the DOF.

Once signed by the President, Senate ratification through the concurrence of at least two-thirds of its members is constitutionally required. The Convention provides that it shall enter into force three months after the Philippine has deposited its Instrument of Accession.

The implementation of the ATA Carnet system will support the Office of the President Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 27 which directs “all concerned agencies to strengthen the implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan and involving other agencies in the development of the export sector”. Specifically, MC 27 mandates the DFA to advocate the Philippine Accession to the Istanbul Convention.- ARB