Customs delays full digitalization to 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs is expecting a hiccup in its bid to fully digitalize its processes and operations, likely to be completed in 2024 instead of early this year.

Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the BOC has informed Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno on the delay in the system overhaul in the agency to increase productivity and efficiency.

Last October, Ruiz said full digitalization may happen in the first quarter of 2023.

However, this is expected to be further delayed to 2024.

“Some Customs processes that we need to digitalize involves a third party provider and there are still some court orders that we need to address,” Ruiz said.

“Pending the resolution of that case, our hands are tied,” he said.

Nonetheless, Ruiz said cases are moving, but there is still a need to reschedule the timeline.

As of end-2022, 94 percent or 159 out of 170 Customs processes have already been automated to boost trade facilitation and ensure transparent delivery of government services.

“There are certain areas that we can procure even if there are pending cases and they do not affect the BOC,” Ruiz said.

The World Bank is supporting the digitalization of the BOC through an $88.28-million financing for the Philippine Customs Modernization Program.

BOC has been pushing for its digitalization efforts until it achieves a fully automated Customs procedure.

Doing so would make international trade transactions more efficient and transparent while improving regulatory compliance.