BOC eyes temporary lifting of sanctions on erring importers 

The Bureau of Customs is considering a provisional lifting of sanctions imposed on erring importers to facilitate trade and ease port congestion.

In a statement on Saturday, the BOC noted that Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon issued on Friday a memorandum providing the guidelines for the temporary lifting of suspension, cancellation, and revocation of the customs accreditation privileges of importers with seized and or forfeited shipments.

The memorandum states, "The temporary lifting of the suspension, cancellation or revocation, if approved, shall last 10 working days from the reactivation of the importer’s account."

"The issuance of the directive is part of the BOC's commitment to facilitate trade in a more efficient manner," the BOC said. 

"The bureau also wanted to ensure that despite the continuing suspension or revocation of erring importers' accreditation, port congestion would be avoided," it  added.

Those sanctioned may file their requests before the Office of the Commissioner.

"Concerned importers may now submit a letter asking for the temporary lifting of such suspension, cancellation or revocation in order to immediately accommodate the processing of shipments arrived prior to or on the date of suspension, cancellation, and revocation of their accreditation privileges," it said.

It noted that the letter-request must contain the following information:

• Consignee’s name, address and contact number
• Bill of Lading number/s (only those provided will be processed)
• List and the description of the pending shipments
• Port of Destination of the subject shipments
• A statement that a motion or letter for reconsideration to permanently lift such suspension, cancellation or revocation has been filed with the Accounts Management Office (AMO)

"Concerned importers whose shipments are still in transit at the time of the suspension, cancellation or revocation are advised to submit their letter requests after the said shipment(s) have arrived at the port of destination," it said. 

The bureau noted that requests will be processed in one to two working days from the receipt of the importer’s letter.

The AMO will send an e-mail to the importer concerned once the latter’s account has been reactivated, the BOC said. 

An importer may request for the temporary lifting of its suspension, cancellation, or revocation only once.

"Subsequent requests from the same importer shall no longer be entertained by the Office of the Commissioner," it added. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News