All requests for lifting of shipment alert orders will now have to be coursed through the deputy commissioner for Intelligence Group (IG) for approval, according to a directive by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
The new procedure is for the “effective monitoring and profiling of importers,” Guerrero said in a memorandum to all concerned BOC officials and employees, dated and signed on January 4, 2019.
The customs chief also ordered all concerned units to undertake measures to ensure the new procedure “will not have an adverse effect in the effective delivery of public service.”
Alert orders shall be issued based on derogatory information.
Under Customs Memorandum Order No. 07-2018 (Revised Rules for the Electronic/Manual Issuance and Lifting of Alert Orders at All Ports of Entry), within five days—or two in the case of perishable goods—after the examination is terminated, the district collector shall issue a warrant of seizure and detention if warranted, or in case of negative findings, recommend to the customs commissioner to have the goods released or the processing of the import entry (goods declaration) continued.
In case the district collector recommends the release of the shipment, the district collector shall immediately transmit all records in completed staff work format to the customs commissioner, who shall automatically review the recommendation within 48 hours, or within 24 hours in the case of perishable goods.
When no decision is made by the customs commissioner within the prescribed period, the imported goods shall be deemed released. – Roumina Pablo
