All importers and customs brokers with I-CARE (Interim Customs Accreditation Registration Unit) accreditation that will expire between March 31 and May 31 will have to submit a printout of their Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) electronic profile to ensure they maintain their CPRS registration at the Bureau of Customs, BOC deputy commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero reminded participants at the recent public forum on New Regulations on Importer and Broker Accreditation.
The printout may be requested from the BOC-accredited value-added service providers engaged by importers and brokers.
At last week’s Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association-PortCalls forum at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza attended by more than 700 participants (go to www.flickr.com/photos/87128801@N06/ for event photos), Uvero noted the submission of a printout ensures uninterrupted lodgement of entries for importers and brokers whose accreditations are expiring soon — between March 1 and May 31.
It should be noted that the CPRS system becomes temporarily unavailable for use during electronic import entry lodgment for an importer or broker whose I-CARE accreditation has expired.
Uvero’s reminder comes in the wake of a Feb 26 memorandum issued by Customs Commissioner John Philip Sevilla which automatically extended to May 31 accreditation of importers and brokers whose I-CARE accreditation expires between March 1 and May 31 this year. The memorandum, with the subject “Transition Policies and Guidelines for the Implementation of Customs Memorandum Order No. 04-2014,” intends to prevent disruption in customs operations and ensure the orderly accreditation of importers and customs brokers pertaining to this CMO.
CMO No. 04-2014, signed by Commissioner Sevilla and dated February 21, implements Finance Department Order No. 12-2014 requiring importers and customs brokers to be accredited before they can import goods or do business with customs. Finance Department Order 12-2014 in turn requires all importers and brokers to secure accreditation from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and BOC before they can transact with the BOC.
Under CMO 04-2014, the BOC’s Account Management Office (AMO) will facilitate the accreditation of importers and brokers, the second stage in the accreditation process. Stage one involves securing an Importer Clearance Certificate and a Brokers Clearance Certificate from the BIR.
AMO has replaced the ICARE office of the BOC and is also responsible for the CPRS for importers and customs brokers.
Uvero said starting June, the BOC and BIR will strictly implement the accreditation process.
But he said the BOC is mindful that there might be backlogs or delays on the part of the BIR due to the number of those seeking accreditation.
“Rest assured that if that happens, on the customs side we will have to extend,” Uvero said.
The BOC executive also received applause from the crowd when he said that on the part of the bureau, there is no expiry of accreditation “so long as you are in good standing.” Importers and brokers would only have to update their information once a year.
Renewal on the part of the BIR is every three years.
Among BOC requirements under the new accreditation rules are the list of importables and a sworn undertaking to accept notice from electronic mail. –– Roumina M. Pablo
