BOC shortens free storage period for empty containers

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs has shortened the free storage period for empty containers arriving in the country  to help decongest Manila’s ports.

Customs commissioner John Philip Sevilla said the period for re-exporting of empty foreign containers has been trimmed to 90 days from 150 days.

Sevilla said any empty container which is re-exported on or before April 30 this year , regardless of when it arrived in the Philippines, will not be subject to any duties or taxes previously mandated by Customs Administrative Order 2-97.

However, containers arriving as empty from Jan. 30 to Apri 30, should be re-exported by July 29.

Containers stuffed with imported cargoes which were returned to the shipping line at any time from Jan. 30 to April 30, as evidenced by the Equipment Interchange Receipt issued by the carrier and signed by the party receiving and/or delivering the containers, must also be re-exported by July 29.

From May 1 onwards, empty containers arriving in the country should be re-exported within 90 days from date of last discharge. Containers with exported cargoes shall also be re-exported by 90 days after their return to the shipping line.

Aside form these, containers that will not be re-exported on the said deadlines will be treated as imports.  This means the owners of these imported cargoes would need to file import entries and pay duties and taxes.

Failure to comply with the deadlines set by the BOC would result in the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention on the empty containers.

Under Sec. 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code, district or port collectors are allowed to seize empty container vans that have been overstaying at the ports for security reasons.

The BOC earlier warned the public against buying empty container vans without obtaining the required permits.