We are sharing the latest advisories issued by Cargo Data Exchange Center, Inc (CDEC) to help stakeholders comply with the advance e-manifest submission and “switch-on” implemented by the Bureau of Customs in international airports (NAIA, Clark, Mactan, and Davao).
It must be noted that the BOC has been implementing the e-manifest “switch-on” for seafreight import shipments since 2010.
Compliance with Data Accuracy Standards
Airlines, freight forwarders and air express operators need to strictly comply with data accuracy standards in the submission of the airline electronic inward foreign manifest (e-IFM) and forwarder electronic consolidated cargo manifest (e-CCM):
- Type of bill of lading in airline e-IFM
– Correct data is “HBL” - Gross weight in both airline e-IFM and forwarder e-CCM
– Correct data is gross weight in kilos
– Incorrect data is chargeable weight - B/L nature code in e-IFM and e-CCM
– Correct data is “24” if importer/consignee is a Philippine Economic Zone Authority- and Clark/Subic Freeport-registered enterprise
PEZA- and Freeport-registered importers should instruct their foreign-based shippers and service contractors during cargo e-booking to inform airline and forwarder agents about this mandatory PH Customs system requirement.
Strict compliance to these data accuracy standards will ensure fast PH Customs clearance of import shipments and cargo release.
Temporary Measures for Manual Processing
To ensure uninterrupted delivery of services and minimal transition impact especially for importers in PEZA and Freeport zones, BOC NAIA is implementing the following temporary measures:
- Manual processing for transit shipment bound for ecozones, Freeport zones, and customs bonded warehouses;
- Brokers/consignees encode the goods description and print out the pre-Single Administrative Document (SAD). The printout of pre-SAD together with the attachments shall be stamped with a unique reference/entry number by Aircraft Operations Division (AOD)-Transshipment Unit.
- Once the AWBs of manually processed shipments are validated the transhipment SAD (TSAD) must be lodged in the electronic-to-mobile (e2m) system.
- Once finally assessed, the TSADs shall be coursed through the AOD-Transshipment Unit for cancellation of manual entry.
- Outstanding manually processed entries not reconciled by AOD-Transshipment Unit 15 days after final release shall be treated as abandoned or overstaying cargo, as the case may be.
Direct Validate of Late Manifest Submissions
The BOC is deploying additional manpower to clear the backlog of Direct Validate for late e-IFM (airline) and e-CCM (freight forwarder) submissions.
Please prepare your list of affected MAWBs/HAWBS using the format:
- Customs port
- Airline registry number
- HAWB numbers
and email to airmanifest@customs.gov.ph
Leo V. Morada is a subject expert on IT applications in Philippine port operations with more than 30 years’ senior IT management experience implementing technology solutions in port operations, electronic transactions with customs & port authority, and air/sea port community system applications. He is Director of Cargo Data Exchange Center, Inc, a value-added service provider accredited by the Bureau of Customs and Philippine Economic Zone Authority. He may be contacted at lmorada3f1@yahoo.com.
