The Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL) has began technical testing of the systems of two Bureau of Customs (BOC)-accredited value-added service providers (VASPs). This is in preparation for the full implementation next month of the advance inward foreign manifest (IFM) submission requirement of the BOC.
The two VASPs are Cargo Data Exchange Center and E-Konek Pilipinas.
AISL deputy general manager Cora Bautista confirmed to PortCalls the conduct of the technical testing.
The technical testing will run for several days before the system is evaluated by the BOC in a parallel run scheduled toward month’s end. The parallel run will involve electronic and actual submission of the manifest to the BOC for counterchecking to determine how fast the VASP system reacts to voluminous entries.
Customs deputy commissioner Alexander Arevalo, who is also chair of the VASP accreditation committee, earlier told PortCalls he will soon meet with the Philippines Ship Agents Association, Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders, Inc and Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines, Inc to discuss other aspects of the IFM.
Under CAO 1-2007, the BOC requires shipping lines, non-vessel operating common carriers, cargo consolidators, co-loaders and break bulk agents to provide the BOC with accurate information on vessels and cargoes that will arrive at any port 12 hours prior through electronic transfer coursed through any of its accredited VASPs.
Air carriers and forwarders are required to submit the IFM two hours before arrival of the cargo.
