MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) digitized seven key processes and operations last year in a bid to enhance trade facilitation in the country.
The BOC said seven digitalization projects were implemented last year, bringing its overall rate to 91 percent.
Among the processes is the liquidation and billing system, a platform used to send notices and demand letters as needed.
The BOC also computerized the electronic customs baggage and currencies declaration system, which allows passengers and crew members to submit their declaration forms before arrival and departure.
The agency also improved its raw materials liquidation system, which determines the volume and value of the raw materials exported and subject to liquidation, including the taxes due on the allowable residues and other portions of the imported article entered through warehousing, but no longer usable for the manufacture of the articles for export.
Likewise, the BOC also digitized the national customs intelligence system that stores data from all the intelligence sources via web forms and Excel format.
It also started the electronic-to-mobile tracking of containerized cargo system integration to provide and capture the actual arrival time of containers at the destination.
Further, the BOC upgraded its payment application system for more efficiency and accuracy on the assessment details of payable duties and taxes.
The BOC also started the ASEAN customs declaration document, which is a digital tool that exchanges customs declaration documents with the region’s economies to improve bureaucratic efficiency and reduce barriers to entry.
In line with the digitalization program of the BOC, it continued to facilitate the onboarding of trade regulatory government agencies (TRGA) into the national single window (NSW).
Last year, 22 TRGAs were boarded into the NSW platform.
Moreover, Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz ordered all ports to expedite the disposition of all forfeited and abandoned goods to prevent high yard utilization.
As a result, the BOC disposed of 1,325 overstaying containers, which were either auctioned off or donated to various government agencies.