From January to July 20, a total of 6,990 importers and customs brokers were cleared by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to proceed with filing for accreditation with the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Data from BIR’s Accounts Receivable Monitoring Division (ARMD) showed that of the total, 5,972 importers were given regular Importer’s Clearance Certificates (ICCs) while 12 were issued provisional ICCs.
A total of 844 customs brokers were granted Broker’s Clearance Certificates (BCCs) while 162 customs brokers were issue provisional BCCs.
Data also showed that 2,007 importers and customs brokers who applied with BIR-ARMD were denied.
The division said that in 2014, it issued clearances to 4,434 importers and customs, of which 4,034 were ICCs and 400 were BCCs. In total, BIR-ARMD has already issued 11,424 regular and provisional ICCs and BCCs as of July 20.
Latest data from BOC, on the other hand, showed that 13,279 importers and customs brokers are on their active list.
Of the total, 11,894 are importers, including Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-accredited consignees, and 1,385 are customs brokers.
Based on a Department of Finance (DOF) ruling in February last year, all importers and customs brokers wanting to transact with BOC must undergo a two-tier accreditation process. This requires them to first secure either an ICC or BCC from BIR before securing accreditation with the customs agency.
Last year, DOF issued an order exempting PEZA locators from filing for customs accreditation. BOC is also working on exempting Clark and Subic locators from having to secure clearance from it.
READ: Subic, Clark locators soon exempt from BOC accreditation
Reapplying for new clearance
Meanwhile, ARMD in early July issued an advisory that said importers and customs brokers who were issued with ICCs and BCCs but failed to submit the required certificates under Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 1-2015 before their clearances expired have to reapply pursuant to RMO No. 33-2014.
READ: PH importers, brokers with expired provisional clearance need to re-apply – BIR
Under Section II B of RMO 1-2015, applicants granted with a provisional ICC or BCC must submit certain certificates one month prior to the expiration of their provisional ICCs and BCCs.
Parties who need to reapply must submit their application to RM 115 window, beside the BIR post office, on the ground floor of the BIR National Office building at BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City.
Moreover, BIR said that effective July 1, ARMD will no longer entertain personal follow-ups of ICC and BCC applications.
Instead, importers and customs brokers must accomplish the form provided by ARMD and “this office will respond to you through the email address provided,” BIR said.
“You may also check our website to check if your application has already been processed,” BIR said. The list of processed applications can be seen under the Tax Clearances link on the BIR website. BIR said that if an applicant does not find his name on the list, he may call or email ARMD to inquire. – Roumina Pablo
Image courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
