Customs brokers slam deposit scheme for shipping containers

MANILA  -The government is being urged to regulate the container deposit system of international shipping lines, with stakeholders noting these private companies take time to return the collected fees.

Danny Sta. Maria, an independent customs broker and an industry veteran of 50 years, urged lawmakers to craft laws regulating the practice and compel these companies to speed up the refund process.

International shipping lines collect these as insurance for lost or damaged containers. Deposits range from P15,000 to P20,000 per unit, depending on the size.

“In my case, my deposits have been stagnant on their hands for four staggering months,” Sta. Maria said, noting this messes up their cash flows.

“I feel sorry for other small importers and brokers who do not have huge capitals [and] whose funds are stuck with these shipping lines,” he added.

He added authorities should also look into the amount being collected.

Henry Villa, executive vice president of the Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc., said they support Sta. Maria’s call, proposing that either the Maritime Industry Authority or the Department of Trade and Industry become the designated regulator.

“These international shipping lines can impose ridiculous charges that they want because there is no government agency regulating them,” said Villa, whose group is comprised of over 14,000 brokers.

“Last week, they even imposed incremental costs, such as a fuel surcharge, currency adjustment charges, port congestion charges, among others that they, themselves are coining in order to reap money from us,” he added.

-CSN