Single e-Travel QR code takes off

MANILA, Philippines —  The e-Travel System will be implemented today at international airports nationwide by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The unified and simplified digital data collection platform will provide each passenger with one QR code for seamless travel clearance.

The QR code will be presented, upon arrival or before departure, to a Customs officer for clearance, and passports will be presented to immigration officers for e-Travel registration confirmation.

Inbound and outbound passengers can fill out the electronic Customs Baggage Declaration Form (e-CBDF) and electronic Currencies Declaration Form (e-CDF) on the e-Travel website or by downloading the eGovPH application within 72 hours before arrival or departure.

The e-CBDF must be filled out by arriving passengers while the e-CDF must be filled out by passengers bringing into or taking out local or foreign currencies beyond the allowed threshold.

The BOC will strictly implement rules on the cross-border transfer of currencies, wherein persons bringing into or taking out of the Philippines foreign currency more than $10,000 or equivalent are required to declare the whole amount in the e-CDF.

For Philippine currency, persons may bring into or take out an amount not exceeding P50,000.

Beyond the P50,000 limit, passengers are required to present written authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and declare the whole amount in the e-CDF.

The BSP allows the cross-border transfer of local currency above the limit only for testing, calibration, or configuration of money counting or sorting machines, numismatics or collection of currency and currency awareness.

Violation of rules shall result in confiscation by Customs authorities.

Passengers are reminded that the BSP does not issue a written authorization upon arrival or after confiscation of the excess peso.