Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) enterprises are no longer required to secure a load port survey (LPS) for their bulk and break-bulk shipments.
Under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 23-2015 signed July 15 by Customs commissioner Alberto Lina, “Bulk and break bulk import shipments of production-related requirements by PEZA-registered enterprises, for which PEZA Import Permits (IPs) have been issued, are hereby excluded from the mandatory coverage of Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 18-2010 (Procedure for the Bulk and Break Bulk Cargo Clearance Enhancement Program mandated under Administrative Order No. 243 as amended by AO 243-A) and Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 06-2011 (Supplemental Rates to Implement the Bulk and Break Bulk Cargo Clearance Enhancement Program).”
Such enterprises no longer need to secure an LPS in the port of origin from any accredited cargo surveyor.
Under AO No. 243, all bulk and break-bulk shipments entering the country must secure an advance clearance or an LPS, in compliance with objectives of the World Customs Organization International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures, otherwise known as the Revised Kyoto Convention.
For PEZA-registered enterprises whose bulk and break-bulk import shipments are not covered by PEZA import permits, existing regulations remain applicable, Lina said.
PEZA deputy director general for policy and planning Tereso Panga told PortCalls in a text message that the agency “strongly fought for the exemption of our locators from the LPS requirement.”
He noted that while only about 20 locators will be affected by CMO 23-2015, “it’s a big relief to them as they find the LPS burdensome in terms of huge cost and delay it causes.” – Roumina Pablo
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