The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is automatically accrediting Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) locators as long as they pay an activation fee and present a copy of the Client Profile Registration System certificate of registration.
Customs commissioner Alberto Lina on May 29 signed Customs Memorandum Order No. 14-2015 which revises regulations for the BOC accreditation of all corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, or sole proprietorships registered as locators by PEZA, no longer requiring them to submit additional requirements for accreditation.
The memo effectively exempts PEZA locators from having to seek accreditation from the BOC Accounts Management Office (AMO).
BOC said the new regulation promotes an “effective and efficient customs management by streamlining and simplifying the customs accreditation procedure for PEZA locators thereby creating a more business and investor-friendly environment”.
Since the “documentary requirements and eligibility of locators have already been evaluated and passed upon by PEZA, which is the primary regulating agency of locators within its special economic zones, the Bureau of Customs shall no longer impose additional documentary requirements for their accreditation with the BOC,” the memo said.
“Accordingly, all PEZA locators registered and approved by PEZA through the Client Profile Registration System (CPRS)–Electronic-to-Mobile (E2M) shall be activated immediately by BOC-Management Information System and Technology Group (MISTG) after payment of an activation fee of P1,000 at the BOC Cash Division and presentation of corresponding official receipt and copy of the CPRS Certificate of Registration.”
CMO 14-2015 revokes CMO 03-2015, or the regulations for accreditation of PEZA locators.
During a May 26 BOC-PEZA forum organized jointly by the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association and PortCalls at the Manila Hotel, BOC deputy commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Group Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero had already announced that Commissioner Lina had instructed him to draft a CMO exempting PEZA locators from filing for accreditation with the BOC AMO.
PEZA locators are already exempt from the need to seek accreditation with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Under accreditation rules issued by the Department of Finance, mother agency of the BOC and BIR, in February 2014, all importers and customs brokers must undergo a two-tiered accreditation, first with the BIR then with the BOC so they can transact with customs. But last year, the DOF exempted PEZA locators from seeking accreditation with the BIR. – Roumina Pablo
