THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the freeports of Clark and Subic will test their own automated export declaration system this week in lieu of the system designed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
A PortCalls source said the zones noted that the BOC system in its present format does not conform to some of their processes.
The zones are pushing for their own automated export system which, they said, can be patterned after key elements of the electronic import permit (e-IP) system in place at PEZA since 2009.
Under the e-IP, all entries filed by locators in PEZA zones are coursed through and approved by PEZA before being forwarded to the BOC for its own use.
The application is filed electronically through a value-added service provider (VASP). PEZA then automatically processes the application and checks whether the items are valid for importation. PEZA electronically sends the approved IP application to the locator which can be printed and shown to PEZA or customs authorities before cargo is collected.
The three PEZA-accredited VASPs — InterCommerce Network Services, E- Konek Pilipinas and Apollo Technologies, Inc — have already reportedly revised their systems to accommodate the needs of PEZA and the freeport zones, according to the PortCalls source.
