BOC guarantees PEZA duty-free goods won't be shipped to domestic market

The Bureau of Customs on Monday said it has implemented a process to make sure that duty-free goods from factories in sites authorized by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) would not be diverted into the domestic market.

"It will guarantee that only duly approved goods are withdrawn/transferred; goods that may have diverted from the intended destination can be identified; and intended transfer is successfully delivered at the approved destination," the bureau said.

Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 40-2015 has specified Customs' role to ensure the goods being transferred are adequately secured.

To simplify the process of goods transfer between Ecozone Logistics Service Enterprise (ELSE) Facilities and Partner PEZA Locators using the Electronic Zone Transfer System (e-ZTS), the bureau defined its personnel's specific role in the process.

The implementation of the e-ZTS last July has promoted transparency and facilitated transactions among PEZA locators and will further reduce the cost of doing business for the exporters, BOC Deputy Commissioner Agaton Uvero said.

"The eZTS will also allow both Customs and PEZA authorities to monitor, in real- time, the transfer and movement of tax-and-duty free goods among the ecozones, thereby reducing the possibility of illegal transfers and withdrawals of goods into the domestic market," he said.

The bureau specified in its odder that BOC employees assigned in PEZA sites shall be limited to:

• Approving the General Transportation and Surety Bond (GTSB)

• Selective examination of goods covered by the electronic zone transfer of document or e-ZTD, before exiting from ELSE and once the shipment has reached its specific destination

• Support tracking of the goods transfer

• Support initiatives on the earliest possible recovery operation for divided transfer and certification of the GTSB

• Support the spot-checking of the destination warehouse

The bureau said CMO 40-2015 is one of the steps it has taken to bring the BOC on a par with the international standards. – VS, GMA News