THE Philippine government has delayed the release of new warehousing rules, a vital component to be used by Bureau of Custom’s (BOC) third-party infotech partners since glitches continue to occur owing to the low data volume recorded.

Customs deputy commissioner Reynaldo Nicolas said last week that the agency is unable to release the new rules until the system is tested and the technical errors have stopped occurring.

“The new procedure is dependent on the system not only of the BOC but also of the [Value Added Service Providers] (VASP). Once the error is corrected, we will implement it,” Nicolas said, adding that the system should be error-free just like the other trade aspects of the VASP services.

He said that the bureau would first implement the raw materials liquidation system, followed by others in batches.

Based on the bureau’s schedule, the third-party partners—which facilitate imports thus expediting the transaction—is now accepting import entry lodgment to be followed by formal entry lodgment, warehousing, transshipment and export.

“The implementation of the warehousing rules is delayed almost a year but we are optimistic to implement it within the year,” Nicolas said, adding that it will be implemented along with the new rules on Customs Bonded Warehouses.

The government is revising both warehousing rules, which is already obsolete, and the guidelines for the bonded warehouses to prevent it from being used in smuggling activities.

Once completed, the revisions could facilitate cargo movement in the country and lessen the burden on export products.

Among procedures to be revised include warehousing rates and benchmark it to world standards.

The country still uses the 1991 prescribed rates.

The new warehousing rule was supposed to come out at the start of the year but was pushed further to give the BOC ample time to source funds from the private sector.

The agency said that it does not have the money to fund the said measure, while asking a budget from the National Government could be more tedious as it will go through congressional approval. 

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THE Philippine government should already address concerns brought about by making the Subic Bay-Clark Field corridor the country’s main air and sea transshipment hub, especially since there is less room to expand facilities in Manila.

THE Philippine government has delayed the release of new warehousing rules, a vital component to be used by Bureau of Custom’s (BOC) third-party infotech partners since glitches continue to occur owing to the low data volume recorded.

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