Customs chief gets sole authority to accredit exporters, importers

MANILA, Philippines — The chief of the Bureau of Customs now has the sole authority to approve and disapprove the accreditation of importers and exporters, a measure seen to eradicate consignees-for-hire and fly-by-night importers and brokers.

Under Customs Memorandum Order 02-2018 dated Jan. 11, the application, suspension, revocation, cancellation, and reactivation of importers' and customs brokers' accreditation are all subject to the approval of the commissioner, upon the recommendation of the Account Management Office.

"We will check the validity of the documents submitted by the importers and brokers to ensure that only legitimate traders are transacting with the bureau," Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.

The new issuance states that importers and brokers with disapproved applications can file a request for reconsideration to the chief of the AMO.

Previously, under Customs Memorandum Order 04-2014, the chief of the AMO has the power to approve the accreditation of importers and brokers, while the deputy commission of the Revenue Collection Monitoring Group is in charge of the suspension, revocation, and cancellation of the same.

Meanwhile, the BOC, in a separate memorandum, has limited the number of authorized representatives of customs brokers who can transact with the bureau.

As such, customs brokers are required to submit to the AMO the names of three authorized representatives assigned to each port they operate.

The bureau said it may only allow additional authorized representatives depending on the customs brokers' volume of transaction, upon the approval of the commissioner.

The move is seen "to safeguard the interest of the government and to ensure the accountability of customs brokers."

Since his assumption as Customs chief, Lapeña has repeatedly called on the importers and brokers to stop their illegal practices and abide by the law.

"We will revoke the accreditation of the erring importers and brokers if that's the only way to stop them," Lapeña said.