Airlines need no longer secure ICC

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Finance (DOF) said that airlines need no longer secure a certificate to bring in imported aircraft and equipment following a one-time accreditation process.

“Airline companies granted a Congressional franchise may be exempted from obtaining the Importers Clearance Certificate [ICC] from the Bureau of Internal Revenue [BIR]… on specific importations of aircraft, equipment, machinery and spare parts, on the basis of overriding and paramount public policy, public safety and public necessity considerations,” according to Department Order (DO) No. 28-2015 issued by Finance Undersecretary Carlo A. Carag on March 6.

In February last year, the DOF issued DO 12-2014, which required all importers to secure an ICC from the BIR.

The ICC enables the DOF to map the taxes and duties paid for imported goods.

For airlines to be exempt from securing ICCs for their respective imports, they are “still required to submit documentary requirements imposed by the Bureau of Customs [BOC] for accreditation and must remain compliant with other existing regulations,” the DOF said.

Also, “[a]ny availment of the exemption … shall be accompanied by a certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on the necessity of the importation in view of public safety.”

The Customs commissioner has been tasked to ensure that the exemption perk will be granted only to airlines that have complied with the accreditation requirements. The BOC chief was also ordered to submit to the DOF a monthly report on all the importation activities of accredited airlines.

Last December, the DOF also exempted Philippine Economic Zone Authority locators from securing ICCs, if they were made eligible for accreditation as importers with the Custom bureau’s Account Management Office.