A three-day work holiday will be staged by some customs brokers at two Manila ports next week in protest over the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS), saying it impedes the free flow of trade and adds to costs.
Customs Brokers Council of the Philippines and Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CBCP-PCBAPI) said they are encouraging members to stop processing and delivering shipments for three days starting December 16.
The group claims that TABS—an online system that enables port stakeholders to select the time slots for delivering and withdrawing cargoes—is “against the free flow of trade” and translates to additional charges (demurrage, storage and detention).
READ: All systems go for Manila ports’ online terminal booking facility
The group said it takes two days to secure a TABS booking and up to five hours before a truck can enter the container yard, four hours before the container is loaded, and three hours before the truck is able to leave the terminal. This has led to trade delays, with one transaction requiring five days to deliver, it added.
CBCP-PCBAPI claimed TABS only benefits port operators and shipping lines.
READ: PH brokers cite difficulties in using truck booking system
Auto booking
The group is calling for automatic booking of shipments once a gate pass is issued to truckers as well as 24/7 deliveries. Those proposals already form part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that customs brokers and truckers, through the Aduana Business Club, Inc. (ABCI), signed on November 7 with Manila South Harbor port operator Asian Terminals Inc., the Bureau of Customs, and the Department of Labor and Employment.
The MOU grants the request of ABCI for shipments to be booked automatically in TABS once customs brokers have registered with the Online Release System and paid all terminal and shipping charges.
The protest action comes two days before the Dec 14 meeting on TABS, among others, expected to be attended by customs brokers, port operators and concerned government agencies.
In a text message to PortCalls, ATI said they have not yet implemented provisions of the MOU because the “proposal for automatic booking needs thorough evaluation and comprehensive consultation with the major brokers’ groups as end-users of TABS.” – Roumina Pablo
