PH adopts global ‘passport for goods’

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MANILA, Philippines— The government and private sector rolled out a new system to facilitate duty-free and tax-free temporary admission of nonperishable goods used for exhibits and professional activities to other countries, with the understanding that these goods will be returned to the Philippines.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Monday launched ATA Carnet, also known as “passport for goods,” which streamlines the clearance for goods and eliminates the need for bonds as a guarantee that the goods will return to the country. It thus seeks to allow businesses and professionals to temporarily export and import items, professional equipment, and commercial samples without having to pay taxes.

“Before, you’d have to secure a tax-exempt certificate coming from the Department of Finance, endorsed by us. That process takes quite a long time. With the implementation of the ATA Carnet, it’s as simple as actually presenting some documents with the BOC and the guarantee will come from the Chambers of Commerce,” Bureau of Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla told reporters.

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Among those covered are commercial samples including jewelry, apparel, watches; items for display such as paintings; and professional equipment, including costumes, musical instruments as well as theatrical effects and sets.

Goods that are consumable— alcoholic beverages, tobacco and fuels; items intended for processing or repair; items already sold or offered sale and unmounted gems—are not covered.

To date, the ATA Carnet document is accepted in 81 countries and custom territories.

The BOC said the processing of ATA Carnet document would only take a day.

BOC to exceed ’24 target

The BOC is looking to exceed its revenue target by P20 to P30 billion this year.

The agency targets to collect P959 billion this year as it continues to monitor and improve modernization projects to enhance revenue collection.

“For [January to June], we’re P13 billion up from the target. We are very much confident that we will hit the target. In fact, what we’re trying to hit now is the internal target of the commissioner. The commissioner wants a certain amount to be collected, which is higher than our target to be able to help the government in its funding requirements,” Maronilla added.

READ: BOC surpasses mid-year revenue target by P22.6-B

In the first semester, the BOC surpassed its revenue collection target. It delivered P456.05 billion, up by 5.22 percent or P22.62 billion from the same period last year. The growth was attributed to tighter monitoring and improved collection of delayed payments for government imports. In the first six months, the BOC also seized smuggled goods valued at a record high of nearly P20 billion.

Among the smuggled goods that the BOC most frequently confiscates, items that violate intellectual property rights are among the highest in number, followed by agricultural products. “That’s a commitment that we have to maintain our good standing in intellectual property law enforcement,” Maronilla said. INQ