PEZA, cold stores take up most of BOC E-TRACC trips

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There were 19 apprehensions or alerts recorded from the total number of Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo trips, according to a Bureau of Customs cargo transport report. Photo from BOC.
  • Trips utilizing the Bureau of Customs’ Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo system hit 63,642 from January to April 17, 2021
  • Majority of the trips were headed to Philippine Economic and Zone Authority areas followed by cold stores
  • 19 apprehensions or alerts were recorded among total number of trips

Trips utilizing the Bureau of Customs’ Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-TRACC) system reached a total of 63,642 from January to April 17, 2021, more than half (54.98%) of which were destined for Philippine Economic and Zone Authority areas.

BOC in a statement said the rest of completed trips (45.02%) were headed for cold storage warehouses, 15,578 trips; customs bonded warehouses, 7,518; contained yard/container freight station accounts (imports), 4,370; and CBWs (exports), 1,003. There were also 183 condemned trips, according to a BOC cargo transport report.

Of the completed trips, 19 apprehensions or alerts were recorded.

E-TRACC tracks in real time inland movement of containerized cargoes using a GPS tracking device during transit and transfer to customs territories and facilities.

BOC said E-TRACC is an effective means of preventing erroneous delivery of containers, preventing missing containers or unauthorized diversion of the carriers and misdelivery.

E-TRACC eliminates the issuance of a Boat Note or employment of manual underguarding by ports since movement of containers is remotely monitored.

Customs Memorandum Order No. 04-2020 dated February 4, 2020 implements the E-TRACC system. It was rolled out on June 1, 2020 in some ports.

The system is currently in full implementation at the Manila International Container Port, ports of Manila, Batangas, Subic, Cebu, Davao and Cagayan De Oro.

Under CMO 04-2020, an electronic customs seal (ECS) is required during the transfer of cargo to a container yard/container freight station or other customs facilities and warehouses; transit of cargo bound for Free Zones, inland customs office, depots, or terminals; transit to CBWs; export of cargo from Free Zones, inland customs office, depots or terminals, and CBWs to port of loading; and transfer of shipments subject to further verification and/or monitoring.

BOC said the trackers, or the ECS, are designed to alert any tampering and allows for the swift action of BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service Quick Reaction Team to prevent the possibility of smuggling activities.

All container vans covered by CMO 04-2020 should be affixed with an ECS before being cleared to depart from the starting point or point of discharge for the voyage to the end point or point of destination.

Except when warranted under CMO 04-2020, customs cargo clearance must be fully completed before any shipment can be sealed with an ECS.