Sept 1 — A Milestone for e2m Customs and PEZA AEDS?

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September 1 was supposed to be a milestone for the ongoing automation initiatives of both the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

Let us now take a close look at recent developments and provide our readers some solid basis on which to base their respective assessments.

e2m Customs Automated Export Declaration System

Customs Memorandum Order 54-2010 pertaining to electronic lodgment of export declarations through BOC accredited value-added service providers (VASPs) was issued in December 2010. The BOC commissioner subsequently issued an official memorandum identifying 01 June 2011 as date of implementation in all seaports nationwide.

Latest status:

– The “transition period” period of 90 days since 01 June already lapsed. There is no formal announcement from BOC on any new timeline.

– There are ongoing discussions at the level of Export Development Council Networking Committee on Trade Policies and Procedures Simplification (NCTPPS) on draft supplemental guidelines in the implementation of e2m (electronic-to-mobile) Automated Export Declaration System or AEDS.

PEZA Enhanced Automated Export Documentation System (AEDS)

PEZA already completed its roadshow presentations in various economic zones to introduce the system features and functionalities of the Enhanced AEDS System that it plans to implement within this year. The areas covered are CALABARZON, Metro Manila, Tarlac-Pampanga, Baguio and Cebu.

Latest status:

– September 2011 is identified as Phase 1 of Enhanced AEDS implementation.

– Several locators already commenced pilot “live” lodgments of electronic Export Declaration for export shipments loaded at the Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

– The barcode feature in the Enhanced AEDS electronic ED (export declaration) is not yet used at BOC-PEZA documentation clearance units in these ports of loading pending a final decision on this matter.

e2m Customs Electronic Air Manifest Implementation

Customs Memorandum Order 23-2011 dated 16 May 2011 pertains to electronic submission of air manifest through accredited VASPs. The BOC commissioner subsequently issued an official memorandum identifying 16 June 2011 as date of implementation in all airports nationwide. Upon further consultation with airfreight industry stakeholders in NAIA, BOC gave a 60-day “transition period” during which all airlines and airfreight forwarders would undertake preparations to comply with the new policy.

Latest status:

– BOC “switched on” the mandatory matching of e2m import entry declaration with the electronic MAWB/HAWB” last 17 August. This was subsequently “switched off” by noontime of that day due to the overwhelming number of import entry lodgments rejected by e2m system due to non-submission of electronic MAWB/HAWB concerned.

– Technical problems were likewise encountered during submission to e2m of voluminous number of electronic HAWB by air express operators.

– There is no new announcement on the part of BOC for the revised date of implementation.

– CMO 23-2011 is undergoing review in order to modify certain provisions and make them more fit and appropriate for airfreight operations.

– Additional airlines already commenced regular e-manifest submissions during the 2nd half of August. They include Tiger Airways, Saudia Airlines and UPS.

 

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 can be contacted at lmorada3f1@yahoo.com).