BOC releases rules for exporters’ self-certification

0
1920

ID-100164980The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has issued revised implementation guidelines on the self-certification project for exporters, a pilot program that aims to fast track the free flow of goods within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina on June 17 signed Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 18-2015, putting into effect Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 06-2013. The CAO in turn activates the memorandum of understanding (MOU) among ASEAN-member states participating in the second pilot of self-certification.

The MOU was signed on August 29, 2012 by the Philippines, Indonesia and Laos in preparation for the developmt of an ASEAN-wide Self-Certification System by 2015.

CMO 18-2015 repeals CMO 02-2014 and will be rolled out at all ports with immediate effect.

Self-certification is a system whereby a certified exporter makes a self-declaration on the commercial invoice that his/her export products satisfy the Rules of Origin (ROO) under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

With self-certification, exporters need not present a Certificate of Origin (CO) Form D to avail themselves of tariff preferences under ATIGA.

Under the new memorandum, only exporters in good standing with BOC qualify for accreditation. BOC can also authorize an exporter to make invoice declarations regarding the originating status of his goods.

An exporter seeking such authorization must apply with BOC in writing or electronically, offering to provide “all guarantees necessary to verify the originating status of the goods for which an invoice declaration was made out.”

Moreover, a Self-Certification Implementation and Monitoring Secretariat (SCIMS) under the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group has been established to supervise and manage all activities pertaining to the second pilot project.

The SCIMS is also responsible for evaluating and approving the certification procedure, and monitoring the invoice declaration for compliance with the law, rules, and regulations on exportation and ROO.

Accreditation procedures

Manufacturers and exporters in Metro Manila can send their application to the SCIMS, while those outside Metro Manila can address it to the district collector. The exporter must be a legitimate manufacturer or producer transacting with the BOC for more than one year, and exporting products to other ASEAN member-states for at least one year.

In addition, the exporter must have responsible officers or persons authorized to sign the invoice declaration, and have sufficient knowledge and competence in ROO application. He should also complete the training by BOC on the process of self-certification, and be willing to undergo regular monitoring and inspection “to determine the correctness of its declaration.”

The authorization is valid as long as the MOU remains in effect, BOC noted.

Accreditation may be revoked if the exporter no longer offers the guarantees or fulfills the conditions, or violates the CAO. Violators may be suspended for three months on first offense, six months on second, and revocation of accreditation on third.

The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau and Bureau of International Trade Relations all support the self-certification project.

BOC Port Operations Service director Atty. Illie Lionel Gramata has been urging exporters to avail of the scheme “because it has no costs, except for the P115 fee for documentary stamp.”– Roumina Pablo

Image courtesy of ponsulak at FreeDigitalPhotos.net