Manila Bulletin
Philippines
BOC rolls out program that will facilitate swift movement of goods across borders
Philippines
BOC rolls out program that will facilitate swift movement of goods across borders
BOC rolls out program that will facilitate swift movement of goods across borders
Published Dec 3, 2019 12:00 am
By Betheena Kae Unite
A program that aims to provide for the seamless movement of legitimate goods across borders -- the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program --was launched by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) late Monday.
(BOC / MANILA BULLETIN)
It is a concept under the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade that the bureau has committed to implement under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
As early as 2017, Customs Administrative Order No. 5-2017 had already been signed to establish the program in the Philippines. The order was aimed at providing, among others, the infrastructure, facility, mechanism, process and benefits necessary for its full implementation.
According to the bureau, an AEO is a “party involved in the international movement of goods in whatever function that has been approved by or on behalf of a national Customs administration as complying with the WCO or equivalent supply chain security standards. It is considered a trusted partner of the government in trade.”
It represents a customs-to-business partnership that is intended to enhance international supply chain and facilitate swift movement of goods.
It was revealed that accredited AEOs can enjoy several trade facilitation benefits such as expedited processing and release of shipments, a minimum number of cargo security inspections, priority processing by customs during periods of elevated threat conditions or following an incident requiring the closing of a port and/or borders, and mutual recognition of AEO status by Customs authorities.
Since the adoption of the SAFE Framework in June 2005, several countries have already benefited from the AEO program such as New Zealand, India, South Korea, Brazil, Australia, and China, the bureau said.
To implement the program, an interim AEO office will be created under the Office of the deputy commissioner of Assessment and Operations Group to handle the implementation of the program to accredit the initial Philippine AEOs by 2020.
“The bureau shall also work towards negotiating Mutual Recognition Arrangements with other AEO implementing countries through the assistance of the Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency,” the Customs bureau said in a statement.
“With the AEO Program, a key driver for a solid Customs-Business partnership, the BOC looks forward to a secure and seamless trading environment and economic prosperity,” it added.
(BOC / MANILA BULLETIN)
It is a concept under the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade that the bureau has committed to implement under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
As early as 2017, Customs Administrative Order No. 5-2017 had already been signed to establish the program in the Philippines. The order was aimed at providing, among others, the infrastructure, facility, mechanism, process and benefits necessary for its full implementation.
According to the bureau, an AEO is a “party involved in the international movement of goods in whatever function that has been approved by or on behalf of a national Customs administration as complying with the WCO or equivalent supply chain security standards. It is considered a trusted partner of the government in trade.”
It represents a customs-to-business partnership that is intended to enhance international supply chain and facilitate swift movement of goods.
It was revealed that accredited AEOs can enjoy several trade facilitation benefits such as expedited processing and release of shipments, a minimum number of cargo security inspections, priority processing by customs during periods of elevated threat conditions or following an incident requiring the closing of a port and/or borders, and mutual recognition of AEO status by Customs authorities.
Since the adoption of the SAFE Framework in June 2005, several countries have already benefited from the AEO program such as New Zealand, India, South Korea, Brazil, Australia, and China, the bureau said.
To implement the program, an interim AEO office will be created under the Office of the deputy commissioner of Assessment and Operations Group to handle the implementation of the program to accredit the initial Philippine AEOs by 2020.
“The bureau shall also work towards negotiating Mutual Recognition Arrangements with other AEO implementing countries through the assistance of the Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency,” the Customs bureau said in a statement.
“With the AEO Program, a key driver for a solid Customs-Business partnership, the BOC looks forward to a secure and seamless trading environment and economic prosperity,” it added.