Before I start, I want to quote from our article published last 05 March. It states in part:
“How Many Automated Export Systems Are There?
Insofar as BOC Deputy Commissioner for MISTG Maria Caridad Manarang is concerned she is always articulating in all stakeholder meetings and consultations that insofar as BOC is concerned there is only once export system – e2m AEDS or Automated Export Declaration System. Her position is that the other AEDS systems are applicable only within the context of export documentation and clearance processing in areas or locations under the direct control, administration and supervision of the government agencies which implement such systems.
“For its part, PEZA already announced during the recent meeting of the Export Development Council NCTPPS and its latest meeting with BOC that its Expanded AEDS System will ultimately integrate with e2m AEDS. As of last week, PEZA already notified its various accredited VASPs to be ready to implements enhancements in their respective front-end systems intended to integrate PEZA AEDS electronic SAD (single administrative document) with e2m AEDS.”
I hope this introductory remark will provide perspective to our article today. Now let us review the latest developments:
e2m Customs AEDS Pilot Implementation
e2m AEDS pilot implementation at the Port of Manila started during the week of 05 March. The export shipments encompassed are those of exporters registered and/or accredited with the Board of Investments (BOI) and PHILEXPORT. It was actually a “dry run” since this is the first time that automated processing and clearance of electronic export declarations will be undertaken by BOC Export Division for “live” transactions.
Pilot implementation started at MICP last 12 March and is scheduled to commence in NAIA on 19 March. It interesting to note that this “dry run” is already ongoing in some Mindanao ports since October last year.
So far the e2m AEDS pilot participants are composed of large mining companies, who export in bulk, and food processor and aquatic products enterprises who export using containerized shipments.
The results are being evaluated and are projected to trigger minor enhancements in VASP front-end software. BOC Export Division staff are likewise reviewing their current electronic documentation clearance processing while MISTG may have to make additional system adjustments.
The primary issues currently being addressed by BOC are increasing the level of awareness and readiness by export stakeholders to comply with e2m AEDS. This is being done with the help of VASPs. Next week there will be a rush of orientation trainings and seminars on AEDS compliance that will be conducted by VASPs and a customs brokers’ group (CCBI).
PEZA Expanded AEDS Mandatory Implementation
Mandatory implementation took effect last 15 March and everything seems to have gotten off to a good start.
Overall, the problems encountered involved status of advance deposits made by locators and/or designated brokers for electronic prepayment of PEZA charges and VASP transaction fees, minor adjustments in VASP systems to cater to mandatory encoding of container numbers, and training of BOC staff inside zones and at Export Divisions of loading ports.
PEZA is expected to review the initial period of implementation early next week.
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 & port authority, and air/sea port community system applications. He is CEO of Cargo Data Exchange Center, Inc, a customs-accredited Value-Added Service Provider. He may be contacted at lmorada3f1@yahoo.com.
