One-stop shop opened for release of diplomats’ cargo

0
587
One-stop shop opened for release of diplomats’ cargo
The one-stop shop was created after Acting Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz committed during a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy to further streamline customs processes and procedures. Photo courtesy of BOC.
  • The Bureau of Customs has established a one-stop shop to expedite release of cargoes consigned to diplomats and foreign dignitaries
  • BOC created the one-stop shop after Acting Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz committed during a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy of to further streamline customs processes and procedures for diplomats
  • The one-stop shop will be headed by the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group and manned by chiefs of the Informal Entry Division in the collection district

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has established a one-stop shop to expedite release of cargoes consigned to diplomats and foreign dignitaries.

Headed by the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group and its members composed of Informal Entry Division chiefs of collection districts, the one-stop shop was created after Acting Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz committed during a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy to further streamline customs processes and procedures, BOC said in a statement.

Under Section 800 of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), importations for official use of foreign embassies, legations and other agencies of foreign governments are conditionally exempt from payment of duties and/or taxes.

Moreover, any officer or employee of the DFA, including any attaché, civilian or military member of the staff assigned to a Philippine diplomatic mission abroad by the department or any similar officer or employee of other departments assigned to any Philippine consular office abroad, shall be exempt from the payment of all duties and taxes on personal and household effects.

These tax-exempt goods include one motor car which must have been ordered or purchased prior to the receipt by the mission or consulate of the staff’s recall order, and which must be registered in the name of the officer or employee.

Under Customs Administrative Order No. 02-2021, conditionally taxed- and/or duty-exempt importations under Section 800 of the CMTA must be cleared through the informal entry process. – Roumina Pablo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR