CUSTOMS value-added service provider (VASP) Cargo Data Exchange Center (CDEC) has begun testing submission of airline manifests to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The move is in preparation for the implementation of the advance electronic manifest submission aspect of the BOC’s electronic-to-mobile (e2m) system tentatively set for adoption on March 23.
On the same date, the e2m will accommodate Bill to Shipper/ Delivered Duty Paid transactions of members of the Philippine Chamber of Air Express Operators.
“We are constantly testing with airlines operating at NAIA and based on preliminary results there will be almost zero problems on the submission of manifest via the VASP to BOC,” CDEC general manager Leo Morada told PortCalls.
The test involves live exchange of information between CDEC and airlines.
Originally, the BOC scheduled the implementation of the e-manifest submission on February 23, when most aspects of the e2m came into force at the NAIA, but held off citing procedural concerns.
At the moment, the BOC has yet to decide on the cut-off time for submission of e-manifests although there was a much earlier BOC memo (CAO 1-2007) requiring air carriers and forwarders to submit the manifest two hours before aircraft arrival.
International cargo airlines operating in NAIA include China Airlines Cargo, DHL, FedEx, Korean Air Cargo, KLM Cargo, JAL Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, MASKARGO, Northwest Airlines Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Thai Cargo and United Parcel Service.
