Arroyo lowers container van fees to help importers, exporters

Container van security fee rates have been cut down by $20 to $40. That's by order of President Gloria Arroyo to ease the burden on exporters and importers affected by the quick appreciation of the peso against the dollar. Executive Order No. 635, issued by Arroyo, 40-footer containers are now charged $10 (or its peso equivalent) instead of $50, while 20-footer containers are charged $5 (or twenty equivalent units , or TEUs) instead of $25. The new order amends Executive Order No. 592, issued on Dec. 15, 2006, which imposes the “Mandatory Payment of Container Security Fees in the Implementation of the Non-Intrusive Container Inspection System (NCIS) Project" of the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Under that previous EO, $20 is charged for each 20-foot container and $50 for every 40-foot container which would have taken effect once all scanning units are installed in identified ports. The BOC was to tasked with charging the fees on all import and export cargo, landed or stored in piers, airports, terminal facilities including container yards, and freight stations under its jurisdiction. Several exporters' groups had been opposing EO 592, saying it was an extra burden to them, especially with the continued strengthening of the peso against the dollar. The exporters, however, felt that the NCIS project would be good if it could guarantee a more efficient facilitation of Customs clearance. - GMANews.TV