Key Bureau of Customs (BOC) initiatives designed to streamline operations and cut corruption are the subject of a Bureau of Customs presentation at the Mindanao Shipping Conference on June 18 at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.
Customs deputy commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Atty Agaton Teodoro Uvero will tackle the recently implemented ruling on accreditation for importers and customs brokers; impending adoption of the load port survey (pre-shipment inspection) on containerized shipments; and plans for full computerization at the bureau as well as a host of other measures that the BOC will adopt in the 12 months.
Under the new BOC administration, the agency has rolled out a number of policies aimed at rationalizing operations and addressing loopholes that give rise to corrupt customs and trade practices.
One of these policies is the Department of Finance requirement for accreditation of all importers and customs brokers at the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Under the newly enacted rules, all importers and customs brokers will have to secure their BIR importer clearance certificate or BIR customs broker clearance certificate from the BIR head office in Quezon City. A separate accreditation from the BOC is also required so importers and customs brokers can transact with the customs agency.
The load port survey on containerized shipments, on the other hand, is scheduled for implementation within the third quarter of the year. Based on a draft customs administrative order
At the end of his presentation, Uvero will take questions from conference delegates.
Other conference speakers include former Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Dr Cayetano Paderanga, Jr, who will discuss economic prospects for Mindanao; Dr Adora Navarro whose presentation will focus on the benefits of ASEAN integration on the logistics industry; and PIE-MO Industries Association president Augustus Adis who will point out the needs of Mindanao shippers and cargo service providers.
Mindanao Shipping Conference 2014 is supported by Smart Infinity (Gold Sponsor); Soonest Global and Phoenix Petroleum (Silver Sponsors); Fast Logistics, Petron, Seda Centrio and Smart Communications (Bronze Sponsors); and Avida Land Corp, Isuzu, Jentec Storage and Sun Cellular (Exhibitors).
Conference partners are Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce, Phividec Industrial Authority, PIE-MO Industries Association, Philippine Exporters Confederation (Regions X and XII), Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association, Cargo Data Exchange Center, Mindanao International Container Terminal Services, Inc., BusinessWeek, Davao Today, Sun Star Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao Daily News.
For more information on the conference, email organizer PortCalls at info@portcalls.com or download the conference flyer at www.portcalls.com.
