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THE
Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it may hand down the task
of accrediting importers to third parties, which will
include a group private-sector lobbyist, in a move to
ensure transparency in the agency’s operation.
Customs
Commissioner Napoleon Morales told reporters they may
tap the services of either SGS or Dun and Bradstreet to
lead the ocular inspection.
The team
that will accredit importers may include the Federation
of Philippine Industries (FPI) and the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), both of which
have long been asking for inclusion in the accreditation
process.
“As of
now, we are still ironing out the terms of reference for
this new process, but we are really going to include the
FPI and the PCCI. If they want to examine or witness the
ocular inspection, we will grant them permission and
accredit them,” Morales said.
At the
moment, various government agencies are the ones
responsible in the accreditation of importers, but the
rules and requirements are getting stringent that many
are resorting to illegal measures.
From the
16,000 accredited importers in 2005, the figure
decreased to only about 10,000 after the BOC streamlined
the accreditation.
SGS
provides services such as project specialists,
consultancy, monitoring, inspection and reporting
including photo documentation for industry, financial
institutions, trade companies and those who need
independent third-party service to secure the
correctness of transaction.
On the
other hand, Dun and Bradstreet is a global provider of
company credit reports and profiles, including
risk-evaluation reports and sales and marketing
solution.
Morales,
however, said he is still ironing out the plan to ensure
the measure will not cost the government as much and the
importer seeking accreditation will bear the cost.
At the
moment, the BOC is implementing an earlier ruling that
allows its officials to conduct inspection services.
The
BOC’s three main divisions—Customs Intelligence and
Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service
and Legal Services—were all tasked to create a special
composite team for inspection activities for the
importers’ accreditation.
“I have
ordered the creation of this body to make sure that all
these three divisions will cooperate in determining the
actual status of importers who apply for accreditation,”
Morales said.
Customs
Special Order 19-2008 places the Customs Accreditation
Secretariat under the direct supervision of the Deputy
Commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating
Group. |
