Exporters want easier application in ASEAN self-certification scheme

MANILA, Philippines — Exporters want the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to further streamline and simplify the application procedures for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) self-certification scheme which is intended to help facilitate trade.

In a statement, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) chairman George Barcelon said the self-certification process is complicated.

As exporters and importers are already registered with the BOC, Barcelon said there should be no need to “recreate the whole thing over and over again.”

The Asean-wide self certification (AWSC) scheme allows qualified exporters to self-certify the origin status for their goods to be eligible for tariff preferences under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement.

Through the scheme, certified exporters would no longer have to apply for a certificate of origin with the BOC for every shipment as they would be able to issue their own origin declaration to all ASEAN member states.

Exporters have to apply for certified exporter status with the BOC to be able to self-certify the origin of their products.

To register for the AWSC, Vanessa Hosana of the BOC’s export coordination division said an applicant would just need to submit the product evaluation report, the manufacturer’s declaration, as well as the application form.

“For as long as they are a registered exporter, they can apply in the Export Coordination Division to become a certified exporter under the AWSC,” she said.

After securing the one-time accreditation of certified exporters, “they can issue their origin declaration anytime, anywhere at their own convenience,” she said.

Ma. Flordeliza Leong, VP for advocacy, communications and special concerns at the Philexport, said the BOC needs to look into the reason behind the low number of applicants to the self-certification program.