By LEO V. MORADA, PortCalls IT Columnist
APOLLO Technologies Inc —a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-accredited value added service provider (VASP) — recently completed technical connectivity testing with the Bureau of Customs’ National Single Window (NSW) system and was authorized by PEZA to transmit “live” electronic Import Permit System (eIPS)-approved data to NSW effective later part of last week.
CDEC VASP Partner for PEZA eIPS
Apollo Technologies is the PEZA eIPS VASP partner of Cargo Data Exchange Center (CDEC), a customs-accredited VASP for BOC’s electronic-to-mobile (e2m) Customs system. Customs brokers who use CDEC eTrade VASP for electronic lodgment of transhipment declarations to e2m also utilize Apollo Technologies facility for electronic import permit applications with PEZA.
The compliance of Apollo Technologies eIPS service with BOC NSW is expected to expand its VASP offering to PEZA locators. Both Apollo Technologies and CDEC are currently working together to leverage upon each other’s respective VASP facilities to further enhance their services to common clients made up of customs brokers and PEZA locator firms.
Seminar for Carriers, Agents
In another development, CDEC is scheduled to hold another seminar for shipping lines & agents on the most recent updates regarding nationwide electronic manifest submission to e2m Customs Import Assessment System.
The event will be held on the afternoon of 25 August (Wednesday) at the Customs Capacity Center Building, 4th Floor, BOC Port of Manila Building.
About 100 participants are expected to attend. They belong to containerized shipping lines affiliated with the Association of International Shipping Lines, bulk agents who are members of the Philippine Ship Agents Association, independent non-affiliated shipping lines and agents, and port operators (Asian Terminals Inc, International Container Terminal Services Inc, and Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc).
CDEC is the preferred VASP for electronic manifest submission by shipping lines and seafreight forwarders/consolidators in all customs ports nationwide. It is also currently providing VASP services for airlines and airfreight forwarders which currently submit e2m electronic manifest in the port of NAIA on a voluntary basis.
