MANILA, Nov. 15 (PNA) — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday reiterated the exemption of relief goods from abroad from import duties but stressed that this must be consigned with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or its accredited agencies.
“In addition, the exemption is granted through a documentation and recording process. It is the mandate of the Bureau of Customs to record all items imported into the Philippines,” Biazon said in a statement.
The BOC chief said a one-stop shop has been established to “expeditiously process importations of donated relief goods and equipment for the calamity-response operations.”
He added that some items like medicine, telecommunications equipment and agricultural products are subject to clearance by regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC); and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The BOC is manning the one-stop shops, located in entry points in Tacloban, Cebu and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and several other agencies.
Under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 8-2013, issued last November 11, 2013, Customs Port Collectors in Cebu, Tacloban and NAIA are directed to process goods, articles and equipment meant for relief operations and aid immediately upon arrival, and deploy personnel to man the OSS 24 hours a day.
It also provides the guidelines and requirements for the customs clearance of the relief goods.
Among these requirements are Letter of Intent to donate the goods to the DSWD or any DSWD-registered relief organization, a Bill of Lading or Airway Bill, and a Packing List or Commercial Invoice. (PNA)
FPV/JS/UTB