Government launches e-Travel Customs System

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other government agencies launched on Nov. 21 an e-Travel Customs System to digitize the data collection process for travelers arriving and departing from the country.

The BOC launched the system at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport  Terminal 1 along with other agencies such as the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

In a statement, the BOC said that the e-Travel Customs System aims to boost the country’s security and streamline customs procedures by integrating the electronic customs baggage declaration form  and electronic currencies declaration form into the BI’s e-Travel System.

“The e-Travel Customs System, a unified digital data collection platform, simplifies the passenger experience at airport terminals. Its key feature is the electronic customs baggage and currency declaration interface, formerly part of the BOC’s I-Declare System, introduced on June 29, 2022,” the BOC said.

Through this system, travelers and crewmembers would be able to utilize a user-friendly and single web portal that integrates the border control requirements of the BI, BOC, BSP and Bureau of Quarantine.

“This enhances the overall passenger experience and enables the BOC to receive advanced information for effective risk profiling. The timely sharing of information with AMLC and BSP strengthens the nation’s commitment to combat money laundering and ensure financial security,” the BOC said.