THE BUREAU of Customs (BOC) has ordered a one-day processing and release of all government imports to decongest ports.
Inbound shipments of government institutions, “covered by import entries bearing the additional procedure code ‘DPG’ (government importation) or ‘DPS’ (government importation-shipside) must be processed, cleared and released in one working day following the filing of entry with complete documents,” Customs Commissioner Alberto D. Lina said in a memorandum dated April 29.
Lina ordered all district collectors to fast-track the shipments of government institutions, which the BOC chief considered “low risk.”
It is in the interest of the government that shipments “be processed, cleared and released from Customs in the shortest possible time, so that the government can immediately use them according to their intended purpose, and thereby allow the government to discharge its functions effectively and efficiently,” Lina pointed out.
The Customs chief also noted that the customs duties and taxes slapped on government imports would be settled on a “deferred payment scheme” under Customs Administrative Order No. 10- 2008 and Joint Circular No. 2-91, so that the shipments could be immediately released without waiting for the availability of funds.
Also, the immediate release of imports of government institutions from the ports “will help ease the problem of port congestion,” Lina said.