The Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCBAPI) is requesting government to stop implementing the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS), citing its adverse effects on customs brokers and the economy.
PCBAPI wrote a letter to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Atty. Juan Sta. Ana seeking a stop to TABS and a return to the status quo in the “delivery of containers, return of empties.”
The group claimed the new system, which is being implemented by port operators Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) since October 1, contradicts just-in-time delivery and is “contrasting the flow of trade.”
TABS, an electronic platform for booking containers at Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), was developed to minimize road traffic and ensure a more organized flow of containerized cargoes while providing real-time information on container status.
The project is a collaborative solution by the government and supply-chain stakeholders—in partnership with Australia’s 1-Stop Connections Pty Ltd. (1-Stop)—to prevent a repeat of the 2014 Manila port congestion that arose from the truck ban introduced by the Manila city government.
READ: All systems go for Manila ports’ online terminal booking facility
PCBAPI said that with the new system, “one-day release” of shipments has become impossible. Under TABS, customs brokers or importers must select the time or “zone” to withdraw import containers from or deliver empty containers to the Manila international terminals. Some customs brokers, during a forum called by different brokers’ organizations on October 12, said they had difficulty booking their preferred zone, often trying until evening just to get a booking.
PCBAPI said the delay in bookings means an increase in operating expenses for importers and exporters, such as storage charge, demurrage, detention charge, booking fee, and trucking fee. Moreover, the group said port operators will now “charge (for) the cancellation of booking even if (it’s) not our fault.”
In addition, the port operators “are going to charge the booking services they render, even (if) they (are) mandated to release the goods (once) cleared by the Bureau of Customs (BOC),” the group noted, adding that under the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, only the collector of customs can authorize the holding or release of shipments.
Since the system controls release of shipments, this can cause accumulation of containers and trigger another port congestion, the group said.
“We appeal to PPA and our government (to) look into the adverse effects to the flow of trade, ports availability in the future, the just-in-time delivery, additional cost to the shipment, and as well as to the national economy in general,” PCBAPI stated.
As of October 19, PPA has yet to respond to the PCBAPI letter.
The Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc. (CCBI) will separately submit a list of concerns to Manila international terminal operators regarding TABS.
READ: PH brokers cite difficulties in using truck booking system
CCBI president Dr. Dennis Del Pilar earlier said the chamber will not push for suspension of TABS but will only air concerns and suggestions to help further improve the system. – Roumina Pablo
Image courtesy of Asian Terminals Inc
