STARTING March 23, the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) electronic-to-mobile (e2m) system will accommodate Bill to Shipper (BTS) transactions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Under Customs Memorandum Order 7-2010 signed Feb 22, 2010 (click here for copy), BTS shipments, also known as Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), will only be initially allowed for pre-approved clients of the Philippine Chamber of Air Express Operators (PCAEO), an organization that seeks to promote the modernization of the Philippine air express industry. Member companies include TNT Express Worldwide, United Parcel Services, Federal Express and Airborne Express.
Since last week, PCAEO members have begun submitting a list of their regular clients who import under BTS/DDP for BOC approval.
The BOC earlier deferred acceptance of BTS/DDP transactions under e2m pending enhancement of the system. Under BTS/DDP, the shipper undertakes the payment of duties and taxes. The e2m, however, requires consignees—which under DDP have no need to pay duties and taxes—a bank reference number.
BOC began implementing e2m at the NAIA on February 23. Apart from non-accommodation of BTS/DDP transactions, e2m for now also does not require mandatory submission of the advance electronic manifest, a must for seafreight shipments.
Until it is implemented, existing alternative facilities of Automated Customs Operating System electronic manifest submission through any of Customs-accredited value-added service providers or other service providers remain operational.
