Importers reminded to file shipment import entries

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Custom's Entry Processing Unit is reminding all importers, consignees, owners and other interested parties that they have to file the necessary import entry for their shipment within a non-extendible period of 30 days from the date of discharge of the package from the carrying vessel or aircraft.

EPU chief Estelita Buhain-Nario in an interview with The Freeman said that under the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines shipment of imported articles that have no formal entry filed within the specified date shall be considered abandoned and shall be deemed the property of the government to be disposed of in accordance with law.

Nario however said they are still observing due process of law by informing the importers, consignees or owners of the shipment either through mail or through their respective representatives or brokerage and by posting the notice in their bulletin board.

"Marami kasi hindi nila alam ang procedure namin dito. Kaya as much as possible we give due process," Nario said.

Section 1801, Paragraph b of the TCCP provides that an imported article is deemed abandoned when the owner, importer, consignee or interested party after due notice, fails to file an entry within 30 days, which shall not be extendible.

The said law added that if an import entry is filed, and yet the importer, consignee or interested party fails to claim his importation within 15 days which shall not likewise be extendible, from the date of posting of the notice to claim such importation. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)