AISL System for Empty Container Return
The updated version of the Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL) system for empty container return is now available for use by registered users. The new features and enhancements incorporated are based on feedback from shipping line pilot participants and recommendations by industry stakeholders (truckers and depots).
The new system features include the following:
- Online printing of Delivery Order (DO) which can replace pre-printed forms currently used by many shipping lines and manually accomplished by their terminal field offices
- improved search facility for multiple containers under one master B/L
- additional system facility to revalidate expired DO, re-use of DO and divert empty container to another return depot
- expanded selection of damage codes used during depot equipment interchange receipt creation
- expanded selection of transaction reports for container gate-in/gate-out and inventory at designated depots
- database of trucking companies and truck plate numbers that is aligned with truckers database used by port operators
- database of customs brokers
In response to inquiries and suggestions by some AISL members, the terms and conditions of use of the system are now revised to include a provision that allows registered users to utilize the system’s electronic transaction records as “additional documentation support” to comply with prevailing customs regulations on monitoring the re-export of empty containers.
Status of Airfreight e-Manifest Implementation
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has scheduled stakeholder consultation meeting with airlines on July 2 to review the status, issues and concerns regarding ongoing implementation of advance e-manifest submission to BOC e2m system.
There is notable increased compliance by airlines and airfreight forwarders/agents during the past two weeks and BOC is expected to finally decide soon on two milestone issues:
- target date for imposition of penalty fee for late e-manifest submission
- effectivity of mandatory data matching of e-manifest and import entry declaration
According to the Civil Aeronautics Board, there are 37 registered airlines (foreign airlines plus PAL and Cebu Pacific) and 4 air express operators. In NAIA alone, e-manifest submissions are expected from 147 inbound airline flights from foreign airports of origin. This translates to 4,410 inbound flights monthly.
e-Manfest submission is also mandatory in Mactan and Davao international airports.
Leo V. Morada is a domain expert on IT applications in Philippine port operations with 25 years’ senior IT management experience implementing technology solutions in port operations, electronic transactions with customs and port authority, and airfreight/seafreight port community system applications. He is CEO of Cargo Data Exchange Center, Inc, accredited by BOC and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority as a Value-Added Service Provider. He may be contacted at lmorada3f1@yahoo.com.