The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently held a forum to update stakeholders on several pressing topics including accreditation, stabilization of the electronic-to-mobile (e2m) system, and the no-contact policy.
Held on September 30, the half-day event gathered various industry organizations, customs brokers’ associations, multinational corporations, and representatives from various trade regulatory agencies, BOC said in a statement.
The event focused on important topics including the National Value Verification System (NVVS); the policy allowing importers as declarants; dwell time of container returns; shipping charges; accreditation; no-contact policy; and the e2m stabilization plan.
Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero also presented the 10-Point Priority Program aimed at accomplishing the BOC’s organizational and operational targets for 2019.
On their part, stakeholders raised questions and asked for clarifications on the topics presented.
The NVVS is an internal system used by BOC examiners and appraisers to ascertain the truth or accuracy of any statement, document, or declaration presented for customs valuation.
BOC deputy commissioner for Management Information System and Technology Group Allan Geronimo earlier told PortCalls that the agency is working to stabilize its e2m system–which is notoriously known for its slowdowns–by implementing a support and maintenance contract, and has set a project completion target of two years.
BOC last July issued Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 34-2019, which provides the interim guidelines for implementing sections 106 (Declarant) and 107 (Rights and Responsibilities of the Declarant) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
It also provides the rules on the accreditation and registration of persons, other than the customs broker, who are entitled to act as declarant and sign the goods declaration for consumption, warehousing, and transit.
Under CMO 34-2019, declarants may be the consignee or importer; exporter; customs broker acting under the authority of the importer or from a holder of the bill; the person who has the right to dispose of the goods; the holder of the bill of lading or airway bill duly endorsed by the shipping line or airline; or a person duly empowered to act as agent or attorney-in-fact for each holder.
Implementation of CMO 34-2019, however, has been temporarily suspended after the Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc. raised concerns over the new order, which the group said is “in direct contrast” to the provisions of the Customs Brokers Act of 2004.
