Exporters told to register in Customs E2M system

CEBU, Philippines - Following the installation of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) E2M (electronic to mobile) Phase 4 system, exporters are urged to register promptly to avoid shipment delays and other transaction glitches.

PhilExport-Cebu recently released a memorandum to all the organization member companies on the new BOC roll out, requiring exporters to be accredited with the Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) portal.

PhilExport executive director Fred Escalona said that this development is seen to curb the alleged “rampant” corruption.

Under this facility, exporters will have faster export transaction as the system involves an internet-base technology where registered banks, freight forwarders, shipping lines and ports, and other concerned agencies and companies are inter-connected.

According to Escalona, if exporters will delay their decision to register in the system, risk in delayed and failed shipment would be high.

Now, on its fourth phase, the CPRS system was introduced to exporters three years ago to initially complete the BOC’s over-all thrust to automate, under the international trade administration system.

Escalona said the objective of this mandatory registration of all exporters is to help the government capture accurately the export statistics of the country. It will help paint a clearer picture of the industry’s performance.

He emphasized that the CPRS is a prerequisite for exporters to avail of the "end-to-end full electronic, no face-to-face transaction" with the BoC.

Because of this, only the transactions of registered exporters and brokers will be accommodated and processed by the internet-based technology used in the system.

The registration is set to begin this March 25 and the BoC is targeting to have the CPRS system in full use by next year.

Moreover, under the CPRS, exporters are also mandated to have their companies accredited among one of the seven accredited export agencies- the Bureau of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Clark Development Corporation, Cagayan Special Economic Zone Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Zamboanga Special Economic Zone, and Philexport.

Exporters are only given this year to get them registered under the CPRS and get an accreditation.

“If the names of these export companies do not come out of the list, then they cannot ship their products abroad,” Escalona added.

In the Visayas alone, about 800 independent companies operating in and outside of export zones are expected to register.

Philexport-Cebu accreditation will need some 15 documents to comply including government permits and SEC registration. Accreditation fee costs P5,000 with an annual renewal fee of P3,000 to P4,000.

At present, there are total of 251 companies who are active members of the Philexport-Cebu. (FREEMAN)