The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is set to implement at all Philippine ports this month several computerization projects that aim to streamline customs processes and operations.
These projects include the Goods Declaration Verification System (GDVS), National Value Verification System (NVVS), BOC Portal (Ticketing System), Document Tracking System (DTS), and the BOC Dashboard, BOC said in a statement.
The GDVS was pilot-tested and implemented October 2017 at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and Port of Manila. A second version was implemented on November 6, 2017, and is currently being used at MICP only.
NVVS, meanwhile, is an online system that allows BOC officers, specifically customs examiners and principal appraisers, to ascertain the truth or accuracy of any statement, document, or declaration presented for customs valuation purpose. It is an internal system and is not for public use.
The DTS, meanwhile, is an online search facility for tracking the location of BOC documents by providing the QR code on the document.
The BOC Portal and BOC dashboard are also Web-based customer care systems in which issues, concerns and requests are assigned a unique ticket number which stakeholders can use to track online the progress of their issues and queries as well as the responses to these.
DTS, BOC Portal, and BOC dashboard can be accessed through BOC’s website.
The customs bureau said all these systems are designed to improve transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption, and provide seamless trade services with less human intervention. Furthermore, these are aimed at ensuring simplified and accessible customs processes and services that cater to the demands of stakeholders and public alike.
All these reforms and innovations are expected to further improve revenue collection and increase business opportunities for the trade industry, BOC noted.
The bureau said it is continuously working on delivering efficient and seamless trade services that are on a par with global standards.
Photo: Markus Distelrath
