The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is reminding importers and brokers to comply with the deadline for accreditation of July 31 to continue importing goods and transacting business with the agency.
“We strongly urge brokers and importers to get accredited or they will lose their ability to transact with Customs,” Customs Commissioner John Phillip Sevilla said in a statement, noting that the July 31 deadline was already an extension of the original June 30 deadline.
“It is highly unlikely that there will be another extension, as we have already given brokers and importers ample time to understand the new policies on accreditation and complete the prerequisite documents,” Sevilla added.
Out of the 14,995 accredited brokers and importers, only 34%, or 5,039, have applied for accreditation as of July 14, according to a tally by the BOC-Account Management Office (AMO).
The agency reiterates that “all brokers and importers who would like to import goods into the Philippines must be accredited with the BOC” so they can register with the agency’s Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) and file import entries.
The new rules for accreditation “aim to close the loopholes in importation procedures as part of the government’s efforts to stop various smuggling activities,” the BOC said.
The procedure mandates a simpler two-pronged policy for getting accreditation. First is to apply for accreditation with the Bureau of Internal Revenue through the issuance of an Importer Clearance Certificate (ICC) or a Broker Clearance Certificate (BCC). Second is to apply for accreditation with the BOC by presenting the ICC or BCC to AMO.
The new process for accreditation is mandated by the Department of Finance through two Department Orders—DO No. 12-2014 released February 6 and DO 18-2014 issued on February 26.
Relatedly, the BIR and BOC also issued memorandum orders implementing the DOs—Revenue Memorandum Order No. 10-2014 and Customs Memorandum Order No. 04-2014 that was repealed by CMO No. 11-2014 issued last May.
Pending approval or denial of their BIR application, importers and brokers that have been transacting with the BOC prior to the new rules may already proceed with customs accreditation, said Atty. Agaton Uvero, BOC deputy commissioner of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group.
Uvero, in a talk before delegates of the recent Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association and PortCalls-organized Cargo Transport Summit 2, said importers and brokers only need to present the stub and official receipt from the BIR as proof of their pending application, along with the additional requirements for BOC accreditation.
However, this process does not apply to first-time importers and brokers, Uvero said.
He added that if the BIR turns down an application, BOC will give a 30-day period for denied importers and brokers to finish their shipments and file an appeal with the BIR.
To apply for accreditation, the following documents must be submitted:
- For importers: Completely filled-out and notarized application form; BOC official receipt of application fee; certified true copy of BIR ICC or proof of application; Corporate Secretary’s Certificate, special power of attorney or partnership resolution for designated signatories in the import entries, with sample original signatures; original copy of NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance of the applicant issued within three months of date of application; two valid government-issued ID cards with a picture of the applicant; latest general information sheet; personal profile of the applicant; company profile with pictures of the offices and/or warehouse premises; printed CPRS profile of applicant and updated email notification of “STORED” CPRS Profile; and previous certificate of accreditation.
- For brokers: Completely filled-out and notarized application form; BOC official receipt of application fee; certified true copy of BIR BCC or proof of application; original copy of NBI clearance of the applicant issued within three months of date of application; two valid government-issued ID cards with a picture of the applicant; updated professional profile; valid Professional Regulation Commission ID card; updated list of clients with complete address and contact details; list of authorized representative/s with complete personal profile, photo, contact details and specimen signatures; company profile with pictures of the offices and/or warehouse premises; printed CPRS profile of applicant and updated email notification of “STORED” CPRS Profile; and previous certificate of accreditation. – Roumina Pablo
