Customs opens customer centers in NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently opened two customer centers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) to facilitate trade and address issues encountered by stakeholders.

According to the BOC, the Customer Care Center inaugurated in the Port of NAIA last week will serve as a one-stop shop for customs-related transactions in the airport, such as document receiving and releasing, tracking, payments and other client concerns.

Meanwhile, the NAIA-CMEC center will focus on parcel-related transactions, such as parcel tracking, shipment information, and other parcel issues and inquiries.

“Furthermore, both centers aim to support the bureau’s effort to further re-engineer the BOC systems and processes towards a credible and efficient customs service, and fully implement No Contact Policy to eliminate corruption opportunities,” the BOC said.

The BOC said the Customer Care Centers would be manned by a team of NAIA customs service officers to ensure smooth and secured delivery of its services.

Aside from the two recently-opened facilities, the BOC has also established Customer Care Centers in 14 major ports nationwide. The goal is to establish them in all BOC collection districts.

The customs bureau said this is aligned with the Full Automation of Frontline Transactions and Enhancement of Stakeholders’ Engagement Program under the BOC’s 2020 10-Point Priority Program.

Even amid the pandemic, the BOC also continued its digitalization efforts to help facilitate trade, improve tax administration and curb corruption.

The sub-port of CMEC earlier said it was implementing various measures to speed up the release of parcels amid the anticipated surge in imports during the holiday season.

It is also eyeing the adoption of an online payment system in the CMEC for import taxes. This would provide more options for stakeholders and help improve the facilitation of trade and collection of revenues, the BOC said.

At the national level, the BOC has implemented various reforms, such as the electronic  tracking of containerized cargo system and inventory management system which allow the real-time monitoring of goods.

The bureau is also using the Electronic Value Reference Information System to ascertain the veracity of any statement, document or declaration presented for customs valuation purposes.