Time to Brush Up on Your Customs Lingo

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Leo_Morada

ACOS, SAD, IEIRD, OLRS, AEDS, NSW. If you believe you are very much at ease using these industry terminologies, our column today may jolt you into the shocking reality that you may actually be living in the past:

 

ACOS – Automated Customs Operations System was implemented back in the mid-1990s. This system finally met the end of its lifecycle when BOC electronic-to-mobile (e2m) system Transshipment became mandatory last June.

 

SAD – Single Administrative Document refers to import and export entry declaration.

 

IEIRD – The Import Entry and Internal Revenue Declaration is no longer a mandatory document for customs clearance processing and those who still use it are just consuming their last remaining inventory stock of this document form.

 

OLRS – On-Line Release System refers to the electronic release instructions for import shipment generated by BOC e2m system.

 

AEDS – Automated Export Declaration System (for BOC) and Automated Export Documentation System (for Philippine Economic Zone Authority or PEZA).

 

NSW – National Single Window was implemented with the original objective of preparing the Philippines for the next phase of ASEAN NSW. It has encountered many challenges and problems along the way.

 

What’s in and trending: e-System, e-ZTS, TABS, GOFAST, eCO, e-AWB

e-System – The PEZA is already using e-System to refer to its expanding suite of electronic services (electronic Import Permit or eIP, Automated Export Documentation System or AEDS, and soon, the e-ZTS).

 

e-ZTS – PEZA Electronic Zone Transfer System will document and process the clearance, release and transfer between PEZA-registered enterprises. It has been scheduled for pilot testing before yearend.

 

TABS – Terminal Appointment Booking System is implemented by both terminal operators Asian Terminals Inc and International Container Terminal Services, Inc for advanced booking of time slots to pick up import containers and deliver export and empty containers.

 

GOFAST – The Association of International Shipping Lines is gradually implementing the web-based GOFAST system for empty container returns.

 

e-CO – electronic Certificate of Origin (Form D) refers to the document issued by a competent authority certifying that a particular product conforms to the origin requirements under the ASEAN Trade In Goods Agreement (ATIGA). Its pilot implementation as provided in Customs Memo Order 39-2015 is postponed until further notice.

 

e-AWB – The electronic Air Way Bill initiative of the International Air Transport Association is expected to gain momentum early next year following recent Philippine government accession to Montreal Convention 99. E-AWB removes the requirement for hard copy AWB.

 

Leo V. Morada is a subject expert on IT applications in Philippine port operations with 30 years’ senior IT management experience implementing technology solutions in port operations, electronic transactions with customs and port authority, and air/sea port community system applications. He is CEO of Cargo Data Exchange Center, Inc, is a customs-accredited Value Added Service Provider. He can be contacted at lmorada3f1@yahoo.com.