BIR issues new guidelines on release of imported goods

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue has issued new guidelines and procedures for the release of goods imported into the country’s ports to ensure proper payment of taxes and duties by companies.

Under the revised procedures, every application for an Electronic Authority To Release Imported Goods (eATRIG) will be done through the National Single Window System led by the Bureau of Customs.

BIR commissioner Kim Henares said no application will be processed if the importer-application and/or broker is not duly registered taxpayer(s) with the bureau.

For individual importer-applicants, he or she must present a photocopy of his/her latest annual income tax return together with the audited financial statements duly stamped received by the BIR.  This will be used in the valuation of the financial capacity to import of the individual importer-application.

The eATRIG will be processed, approved and issued not later than the next working day following actual receipt of the application with complete documetns/requirements provided there is no legal issue on the taxability of the imported article.

Prior ocular inspection of the imported goods would be conducted, if deemed necessary.

Henares said any application for eATRIG that has remained pending for least a month due to failure of the importer-application and/or broker/representative to submit the necessary supporting documentary requirements shall be tagged as rejected.

Importers are required to first secure accreditation from the BIR before they can import goods through the Customs’ ports.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said the accreditation system is an essential step in the government’s efforts to ensure importer accountability and compliance.

 â€œWith the database of the BIR on registered taxpayers, we will be in a better position to determine whether an importer is doing legitimate business and when they are paying the right taxes,” he earlier said.

The government loses an estimated P200-400 billion in potential revenues a year due to smuggling.