The Bureau of Customs (BoC) is readying the full implementation of its Import Assessment System (IAS), an electronic processing of imports from filing to release, for the Port of Limay and sub-port of Mariveles in Bataan.

“We are aiming to streamline the previous processes by providing information technology infrastructure that reduces face-to-face and paper-based transactions,” Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said.

“Our new procedures enable an environment where clients can make transactions with us having to physically come to BoC. In today’s computer age, almost everything can be communicated virtually, or via the internet, and the bureau must not be left behind,” he added.

The Limay and Mariveles seaports are implementing the IAS in compliance with the e2m (electronic-to-mobile) Customs system allowing the online lodgment of entries to various service providers and system.

The IAS became operational in the Bataan port and sub-port last August 10, the last of the series of processes before its implementation at major ports in Manila. It is an end-to-end process automation through the half a billion-peso e2m of the Arroyo administration.

The Manila International Container Port (MICP) is scheduled to implement the IAS on August 17, followed by the Port of Manila (PoM) which is scheduled tentatively on September 1.

Meanwhile, almost all of the new systems of Customs are being used at the Batangas Port, where most of the country’s oil imports are located. It was the first pilot site where IAS was launched on April 2.

“We have long envisioned great comfort for our clients when they make transactions with us, and to make sure we make new system processes run smoothly for them, we piloted IAS in Batangas, where high costs but low volumes of import trade are traditionally documented, before we implement them nationwide,” Morales said.

“With more convenience in transactions and much faster processing times, in four months we have documented a monthly average of P3.6-billion worth of cleared import transactions,” he added.

To be eligible to transact in the e2m, importers and brokers must have valid and active Client Customs Number from the Client Profile Registration System, another new system of BoC and hard copies of the documents such as permits to import from the various government agencies.

Since the system will not use cash or checks anymore, importers or brokers should also have a bank account information and bank reference numbers of their authorized agent banks for electronic payment of customs duties and taxes.