THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently amended rules governing use of the Super Green Lane (SGL) import processing facility.
Under Customs Administrative Order 6-2003, the importer may apply for SGL accreditation provided it has been transacting with the bureau for at least one year and is willing to undergo compliance audit.
SGL provides for advance processing and clearance of shipments through electronic data interchange of qualified importers. According to the BOC, around 4% of daily transactions are covered by the SGL facility.
While importers enjoy certain privileges under the program, they will also be subject to certain conditions, including a random or spot check of the covered shipments at the importer’s premises while the goods are being unloaded or stripped.
Any violation of the terms of conditions of the Certificate of Accreditation (CA) will be ground for its suspension, revocation or cancellation. The bureau has the right to review the CA issued annually, it said.
The new provision also changed the existing service fee to a service fee for every entry filed based on freight on board (FOB) value of the imports. The new fees are in accordance with the following schedule: below $5,000, P500; $5,001 to $100,000, P1000; $100,001 to $200,000, P1,500; $200,001 to $500,000, P2,000; and above $500,000, P2,500.
