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The Bureau of Customs inaugurated its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) office on December 19
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Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines is the third company to be accredited under Level 1 of BOC’s AEO program
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BOC hosted the physical joint validation for the Philippines under the ASEAN AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement at Coca-Cola’s plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, on December 14-15
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has inaugurated its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) office and added Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc (CCBPI) as the third company to be accredited under Level 1 of its AEO Program.
CCBPI, together with Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corp. (PMPC), were added to the roster of AEO members with the awarding of their AEO Level 1 accreditation on December 19, the same day of the AEO office inauguration, BOC said in a statement.
BOC said the AEO office institutionalizes and enhances the AEO program’s services in the country.
CCBPI joins Toyota Motors Philippines Corp., the first importer that received AEO accreditation early this year, followed by PMPC in April.
As AEO Level 1 members, the companies are entitled to exemption from renewal of accreditation; self-assessment; filing of supplementary goods declaration; and access to a dedicated help desk.
BOC launched its AEO program in December 2019 in compliance with the country’s commitment to the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade.
The AEO program represents a customs-to-business partnership that seeks to enhance international supply chain security and facilitate movement of legitimate goods. Implementation of the AEO program in the Philippines became possible in 2016 with the passage of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Once granted, accreditation under the AEO program will last until it is suspended, revoked, or cancelled through voluntary withdrawal from the program.
AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement
In a related development, BOC hosted on December 14-15 the physical joint validation for the Philippines under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AMRA) at the CCBPI facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Representatives from ASEAN member states Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, and Myanmar attended the meeting where the AEO office and CCBPI conducted a site walk-through to showcase the validation procedure conducted by the Philippines for the accreditation of its AEO companies.
Among the criteria validated are the supply chain management, premises, and cargo and conveyance security of CCBPI.
BOC earlier said it would actively participate in the ongoing development of an AEO MRA with all ASEAN member countries.
An MRA refers to a formal document between two or more customs administrations outlining the circumstances and conditions for recognizing and accepting the AEO programs of the signing parties.
In his message during the office inauguration, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that the effective implementation of this program sends a strong signal to the business community and international partners that the Philippines is open for business.
“I trust the BOC to onboard as many companies to the AEO program, as well as to work with partner countries for the signing of the Mutual Recognition Agreement,” Diokno said.
Aside from importers and exporters, other stakeholders will be eligible to apply for an AEO accreditation. BOC will issue a separate order to implement this. – Roumina Pablo
