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Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines will enjoy Authorized Economic Operator Level 1 benefits for its import entries and other related Customs transactions
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Benefits include exemption from renewal of Bureau of Customs accreditation, eligibility for self-assessment of duty and tax liability, and a dedicated help desk
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The company received AEO Level 1 accreditation on December 7, 2022
Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc (CCBPI) will enjoy certain Bureau of Customs (BOC) privileges as a result of Level 1 accreditation under the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program.
Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) Memo No. 209-2023, dated August 3 and signed by deputy commissioner for Assessment and Operations Vener Baquiran, implemented all AEO level 1 benefits for CCBPI.
These benefits include exemption from renewal of BOC accreditation; eligibility for self-assessment of duty and tax liability; and a dedicated help desk for any customs-related concerns.
In lieu of the annual renewal of accreditation, CCBPI will only be required to periodically update its information and corresponding documentary requirements pursuant to membership responsibilities of an AEO under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 09-2020.
CMO 09-2020 provides guidelines for the pilot implementation of the AEO program for importers and exporters.
CCBPI’s Level 1 accreditation was granted on December 7, 2022, the third company in the Philippines to be accredited under BOC’s AEO program.
The first to have been accredited was Toyota Motors Philippines Corp., and the second, Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corp.
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 is a customs-to-business partnership that seeks to enhance international supply chain security and facilitate movement of legitimate goods.
Stakeholders that apply and qualify for the program are allowed to clear their goods with minimum or zero customs border intervention.
AEO members are accorded recognition by BOC as trusted trade partners.
Implementation of the AEO program in the Philippines began 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 suspended, revoked, or cancelled through voluntary withdrawal from the program.
The AEO Office may consider upgrading a Level 1 member to Level 2 or 3, depending on the AEO’s degree of compliance with the requirements of accreditation. For Level 2 members, benefits include those for Level 1 plus a dedicated processing lane, advance clearance process, periodic lodgment, one-time exemption certificate, and expedited customs clearance for exports.
A Level 3 member will have extended additional benefits that the customs commissioner will identify in consultation with the AEO Office to be created.
AEO members are still subject to post-clearance audits to ensure compliance.
BOC’s AEO Program currently covers importers and exporters. Other stakeholders will also be eligible to apply for an AEO accreditation following the issuance of a BOC order. – Roumina Pablo
