BOC clarifies roles of employees in transfer of goods from ecozones

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has clarified the roles of its employees in economic zones who manage the transfer of goods from warehouses to plants operated by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) locators.

Under Customs Memorandum Order 40-2015, Customs employees tasks were limited to operating the electronic zone transfer system (e-ZTS) to process transfers from Ecozone Logistics Service Enterprise (ELSE) to PEZA firms.

Since PEZA locators are exempted from Customs duties and taxes, the e-ZTS is used on tracking and processing exports of these companies. It works like as the electronic-to-mobile system for regular imports.

The e-ZTS system has been in place since July.

This is “to clearly define the duties and responsibilities of Customs personnel in the transfer of goods from ELSE facilities to ecozone locators,” the order dated Oct. 28 said.

Customs deputy commissioner Agaton Uvero said the improvements in trade facilitation in PEZA zones after e-ZTS went operational four months ago.

“The e-ZTS (has allowed) both Customs and PEZA authorities to monitor, in real-time, the transfer and movement of tax- and duty-free goods among ecozones, thereby reducing the possibility of illegal transfers and withdrawals of goods,” Agaton said.

Goods within ecozones are usually exported and therefore, should not spill over to the domestic market.

Tracking transfers from ELSE facilities to destinations should also be undertaken, it added.

In the process, Customs personnel are expected to check the e-ZTS shipment status as “already delivered/received” by PEZA locators from ELSEs.