The committee for accreditation of cargo surveying companies (CACSC) has approved the accreditation of at least three cargo surveying companies under the bulk and break-bulk cargo clearance enhancement program.

Accredited were Intertek Testing Services Phils., Cotecna Inspection Phils. and Bureau Veritas. The committed has yet to approve the application of SGS Philippines.

Covered under the program are commodities imported from other countries such as liquids, chemicals, petroleum products, dry cargo and other cargoes shipped in bulk or break-bulk.

Bulk cargoes are in a mass of one commodity not packaged, bundled, bottled or cargoes which are loaded in volume directly into the vessel's hold or cargo. Break-bulk cargoes are stored in boxes, bales, pallets or other individual units loaded onto or discharged from the vessels.

Cargo surveying companies accredited by CACSC are required to conduct cargo surveying and issue the load port survey report after a full survey of quantity and quality of the bulk or break-bulk cargoes.

The load port survey report is submitted directly to the Bureau of Customs (BoC) through its management information and system technology (MISTG) at least 12 hours before the arrival of the imported cargoes in the Philippines.

The report would contain the quantity, quality, grade, price and classification of the cargoes, port of loading, name of vessel, estimated time of departure from port of loading, bills of lading, surveyor's seals details, ports of call of carrying vessel and additional testing results.

When cargoes arrive at the local port of destination, the importer would immediately discharge and withdraw the cargoes from the customs premises upon the presentation of import entries and confirmed by the port load survey report.