BoC exempts more semicon firms from import inspection

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has exempted the reefer importations of two more member companies of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) from examination or inspection, Customs commissioner Antonio Bernardo said yesterday.

Bernardo said that Cirtek Electronic Corp. and Sanwa Electric Philippines Inc., operating at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-accredited First Cavite Industrial Estate and Laguna Technopark, respectively, are export producers whose reefer shipments of molding compound should be exempt from physical examination or inspection by the BoC.

Shipments of semiconductor companies, according to Bernardo, could only be subject to customs inspection or examination if alert orders are issued against them. Inspection or examination shall be conducted in a controlled place or within the importer or importers’ premises and with such precautionary measures to prevent damage to the shipment or shipments.

The inclusion of Cirtek Electronic and Sanwa Electric brought to 18 the total number of semiconductor companies whose reefer importations are exempted from the customs process.

Bernardo also said that to avoid delay, SEIPI member companies are required to submit in advance a list of their reefer importations to the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Group (CIEG).

All the SEIPI member companies operate inside the economic zones where their factories are located. They regularly import raw materials for conversion into finished products for export purposes.