THE electronic-to-mobile (e2m) project has halved the number of fly-by-night importers and brokers registered at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and positively affected the agency’s revenue collection, according to deputy commissioner Alexander Arevalo.
Since the system took effect in November at several ports, the BOC got rid of fraudulent operators, including those deceased and those who declared parking lots as their addresses, explained Arevalo at the recent joint general membership meeting of the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association and Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines Inc.
At the Port of Manila (POM) and the Manila International Container Port (MICP), the number of accredited importers has gone down to 9,000 from 15,000; and brokers from 3,000 to about 1,500.
At the same time, collection has reached about P80 billion as of early February for the five ports-Batangas, Limay, Mariveles, POM and MICP-where e2m is in force. These ports corner about 70% of the entire BOC collection.
On Tuesday (February 23), the BOC started implementing e2m at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the ports of San Fernando and Aparri.
By mid-March, the e2m is set to be adopted at the ports of Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu, and before end June in almost all collection districts.
The e2m project automates most processes at the BOC, including the filing of import entries and payment of duties and taxes.
