THE Super Green Lane (SGL) importers association expects widespread delays in cargo clearance when the Bureau of Customs (BOC) starts implementing its electronic to mobile (e2m)/import assessment system (IAS) at the country’s main airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), within the month.
The association predicted the same problems encountered in clearing sea-borne shipments will surface for air shipments at the NAIA.
Since the BOC fully enforced e2m/IAS at the Manila International Container Port and Port of Manila, many shipments of SGL members have been tagged “red”, subjecting them to further scrutiny and physical examination. These have resulted in delays and higher cost, SGL president Jimsy Macawile told PortCalls. Previously, SGL imports were not subject to such scrutiny as they are considered almost risk-free.
“This problem has reached BOC but so far no concrete measures have been implemented,” Macawile said. “Unless this problem is corrected, we expect more glitches when BOC applies its e2m/IAS at the NAIA in the next couple of weeks.”
