The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) has created a Special Inspection Team (SIT) to expedite examination of shipments alerted for undervaluation.
The team was created under Customs Special Order (CSO) No. 36-2017 signed by Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on May 8. It will conduct examinations and submit reports on perishable goods within 24 hours, and on all other goods within 48 hours, from the time of issuance of the alert order.
SIT centers will serve as coordinating offices for checking all alerted and lifted shipments due to undervaluation, thereby shortening the inspection process, BOC said in a statement.
SIT coordinating centers are located at the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port for easier coordination with arrastre operators, BOC added. Two teams and alternate examiners per port have been appointed.
The team will operate under the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG). It is composed of officials and representatives from AOCG, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Office of the District Collector, Special Studies and Project Development Committee, Port Operations Service, and the Command Center.
BOC said it is seeking the support of stakeholders and port operators International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and Asian Terminals, Inc. in its drive to improve trade facilitation and port operations in the Philippines.
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