BOC order to affect prices of imported goods?

MANILA, Philippines - A draft order by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to establish temporary storage facilities for “overstaying or abandoned” goods may  cause an increase in the prices of imported commodities, a source said yesterday.

The Department of Trade and Industry official, who asked not to be named, said the plan targets what he described as “imported political goods” such as rice and sugar.

“Most of the overstaying and abandoned goods are actually political commodities. Placing such commodities in temporary storage could further delay their release and may affect prices in the market,” he said.

In earlier reports, stakeholders said there is a port or warehouse tariff on the use of terminal facilities and equipment. They said if the BOC imposes its own fees and charges for the temporary storage facilities that will be set up at various ports, importers will be charged double and they will pass it on to consumers.

 Instead of a temporary storage area within the ports, the source said the BOC should acquire a large plot of land outside Metro Manila where all containers can be transferred upon the issuance of an order of abandonment, which is a common practice in developed countries.