The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has ordered its officials to allow the release of do-it-yourself (DIY) and hobby items, particularly those used in schools. This is even if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still has to issue a license to operate and a certificate of product notification to firms involved in the production or trade of these goods.
In an advisory, Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero, BOC deputy commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, reiterated the provisions of Customs Memorandum Circular No. 45-2015 dated April 28, which circularizes the contents of the letter of Dr. Janette P. Loreto-Garin, Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH).
In the letter, Garin informed BOC that under DOH Department Circular (DC) No. 2015-0098, registration amnesty is being granted until yearend to businesses involved in the manufacture or distribution of DIY and hobby items classified as Household /Urban Hazardous Substance (HUHS) products.
DC 2015-0098, issued last March, extends the amnesty until December 31 to allow school supplies manufacturers, traders, and distributors (importers, exporters, wholesalers) to comply with the product notification requirements of FDA. Compliance must be accomplished first before enterprises can market items classified as HUHS products.
DOH also directed FDA to review all its regulations on items classified as HUHS, and to submit its recommendation not later than December 1.
Furthermore, FDA officer-in-charge and director Atty. Nicolas B. Lutero Ill wrote to BOC mentioning particularly the extension of amnesty to cover those dealing in educational sets and school supplies.
Thus, in view of the incoming school year, BOC officials are also directed “to facilitate the clearance and release of shipments of educational set/school supplies.”
Earlier, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said BOC will expedite the release of school supplies in time for the coming school year. Recently, Lina also issued a directive to facilitate the release of shipments for government agencies. – Roumina Pablo
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