Customs eases process in disposing seized goods

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has streamlined the procedures for the disposition of seized, abandoned and forfeited goods in its custody in an effort to maximize revenue.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero issued Customs Administrative Order 03-2020, which covers all modes of disposition of seized, abandoned and forfeited goods by the bureau, pursuant to the provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

The BOC said the new order aims to provide simplified and streamlined rules and procedures for the disposition of items left in Customs custody.

It also seeks to “provide for the speedy disposition of goods in order to maximize revenues that can be generated, to ensure that goods injurious to public safety and health are properly disposed, and to protect the interest of the government.”

The order also urges the utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) and other tools in the monitoring and disposition of seized, abandoned and forfeited goods.

Under the CAO, goods that are subject for disposition may be done so through public auction, donation, official use of the BOC, negotiated sale, re-exportation, destruction or condemnation, and turn over to proper government agencies.

The order laid out the guidelines and procedures for each mode of disposition specified.

To help ease the process, the CAO directed the BOC’s Management Information System and Technology Group to devise an ICT-enabled system for the monitoring and disposition of goods in all ports.

The BOC said the system is envisioned to store electronic documents pertaining to the registration of bidders, accreditation of contractors and the conduct of public bidding or garage sale.

Pending the launch of such system, the BOC said it shall “as far as practicable and as existing processes may reasonably allow, implement the provisions of the CAO.”

Meanwhile, the BOC also issued CAO 01-2020, which provides the fines and surcharges for clerical errors, misdeclaration, misclassification, and undervaluation of goods.

It also released CAO 02-2020, which prescribed the policies and guidelines for the settlement of disputes and protests submitted by importers and exporters with regards to customs valuation, rules of origin, tariff classification, and other customs issues.