BOC sets additional rules, including physical exam, for car imports

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  • Imported passenger motor vehicles will now be required to undergo physical exam to prevent smuggling and ensure collection of correct duties and taxes
  • Exempt are imports of Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors and Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines members
  • Geotag photos of vehicles with the assigned examiner together with photocopy of the vehicle ID are required
  • Bureau of Customs collection districts are also mandated to require submission of the Authority to Release Imported Goods before releasing any motor vehicle

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is imposing additional requirements, such as physical examination, on shipments of imported passenger motor vehicles in a bid to prevent smuggling and ensure rightful collection of duties and taxes.

According to Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) Memo No. 564-2021 dated October 25, all imports of passenger motor vehicles/automobiles, except those from members of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. and Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc., must undergo physical examination.

Moreover, geotag photos—photos with geographical identification metadata—of the vehicles with the assigned examiner together with the photocopy of the vehicle identification number are mandated as additional documentary requirement for submission to the Import Assessment Service.

BOC collection districts are also mandated to require submission of the Authority to Release Imported Goods (ATRIG) before the release of any motor vehicle.

An ATRIG is an authority issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, addressed to the Customs commissioner, allowing the release of imported goods from customs custody upon payment of applicable taxes or proof of exemption from payment, whichever is applicable.

Vehicles and accessories are among the list of top seized smuggled items of BOC. In 2020, BOC seized P356.533 million worth of smuggled vehicles and accessories, and confiscated P83.038 million in the first nine months of 2021. – Roumina Pablo

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