Filed as of

September 28, 2015

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
Third Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 2968
(in substitution of SB Nos. 168, 442, 456, 741, 882, 2348, 2373 and 2913
taking into consideration P.S. Res. Nos. 444, 1339, 1533, 1534, 1536, 1537,
1538, 1539, 1549 and 1581)
Prepared by the Committee on Ways and Means with Senators Osmea III,
Escudero, Recto, Ejercito-Estrada, Poe, Aquino IV, Defensor-Santiago, A.P.
Cayetano, Binay, JV Ejercito, Angara and Villar as authors

AN ACT
MODERNIZING THE CUSTOMS AND TARIFF ADMINISTRATION
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
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TITLE I

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 1

SHORT TITLE

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SECTION 100.

This Act shall be known as the

Short Title.

Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

CHAPTER 2

GENERAL AND COMMON PROVISIONS

SEC. 101.

Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of

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the State to protect and enhance government revenue, institute fair and

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transparent customs and tariff management that will efficiently facilitate

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international trade, protect and enhance government revenue, prevent and curtail

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any form of customs fraud and illegal acts, and modernize customs and tariff

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administration. Towards this end, the State shall:

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(a) Develop and implement programs for the continuous enhancement of

customs systems and processes that will harmonize customs procedures;

(b) Adopt clear and transparent customs rules, regulations, policies and

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procedures, consistent with international standards and customs best practices;

(c) Establish a regime of transparency of and accessibility to customs

information, customs laws, rules, regulations, administrative policies, procedures

and practices, in order to ensure informed, and diligent compliance with customs

practices and procedures by stakeholders;

(d) Consult, coordinate and cooperate with other government agencies

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and the private sector in implementing and developing customs policy;

(e) Provide a fair and expeditious administrative and judicial appellate

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remedy for customs related grievances and matters;

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(f) Employ modern practices in customs administration and utilize

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information and communications technology in the implementation of customs

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functions; and

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g) Reform Tax Administration by hiring and maintaining competent and

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professional customs officials and personnel to enforce the Customs and Tariff

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Law.
Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:

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SEC. 102.

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(a) Abatement refers to the reduction or diminution, in whole or in part, of

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duties and taxes where payment has not been made.

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(b) Actual or Outright Exportation refers to the customs procedure

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applicable to goods which, being in free circulation, leave the Philippine territory

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and are intended to remain permanently outside it;

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(c) Admission refers to the act of bringing imported goods directly or

through transit into a free zone;

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(d) Airway Bill (AWB) refers to a transport document for airfreight used by

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airlines and international freight forwarders which specify the holder or consignee

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of the bill who has the right to claim delivery of the goods when they arrive at the

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port of destination. It is a contract of carriage that includes carrier conditions,

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such as limits of liability and claims procedures. In addition, it contains transport

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instructions to airlines and carriers, a description of the goods, and applicable

transportation charges;

(e) Appeal refers to the remedy by which a person who is aggrieved or

adversely affected by any action, decision, order, or omission of the Bureau,

seeks redress before the Bureau, the Secretary of Finance, or competent court,

as the case may be;

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(f) Assessment refers to the process of determining the amount of duties

and taxes and other charges due on imported and exported goods;

(g) Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) refers to the importer, exporter,

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customs broker, forwarder, freight forwarder, transport provider, and any other

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entity duly accredited by the Bureau based on the World Customs Organization

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(WCO) Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, the

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Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), the WCO Supply Chain Management

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Guidelines and the various national best practices to promote trade facilitation

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and to provide a seamless movement of goods across borders through secure

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international trade supply chains with the use of risk management and modern

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technology;

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(h) Bill of Lading (B/L) refers to a transport document issued by shipping

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lines, carriers and international freight forwarders or non-vessel operating

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common carrier for water-borne freight. The holder or consignee of the bill has

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the right to claim delivery of the goods at the port of destination. It is a contract

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of carriage that includes carrier conditions, such as limits of liability and claims

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procedures. In addition, it contains transport instructions to shipping lines and

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carriers, a description of the goods, and applicable transportation charges;

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(i) Bureau refers to the Bureau of Customs;

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(j) Carrier refers to the person actually transporting goods or in charge of

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or responsible for the operation of the means of transport such as airlines,

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shipping lines, freight forwarders, cargo consolidators, non-vessel operating

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common carriers and other international transport operators;

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(k) Clearance refers to the completion of customs and other government

formalities necessary to allow goods to enter for consumption, warehousing,

transit or transshipment, or to be exported or placed under another customs

procedure;

(l) Commission refers to the Tariff Commission.

(m)Conditional Importation refers to the customs procedure known under

the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) as temporary admission in which certain

goods can be brought into a customs territory conditionally relieved totally or

partially from payment of import duties and taxes; such goods must be imported

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for a specific purpose and must be intended for re-exportation within a specified

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period and without having undergone any change except normal depreciation

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due to the use made of them.

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(n) Constructive Import or Export refers to the movement of imported or

exported goods to and from a free zone and customs territory;

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(o) Customs Broker refers to any person who is a bona fide holder of a

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valid Certificate of Registration/Professional Identification Card issued by the

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Professional Regulatory Board and Professional Regulation Commission

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pursuant to Republic Act No. 9280, otherwise known as the Customs Broker Act

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of 2004;

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(p) Customs Office refers to any customs administrative unit that is

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competent and authorized to perform all or any of the functions enumerated

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under customs and tariff laws;

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(q) Customs Officer, as distinguished from a clerk or employee, refers to a

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person whose duty, not being clerical or manual in nature, involves the exercise

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of discretion in performing the function of the Bureau. It may also refer to an

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employee authorized to perform a specific function of the Bureau as provided in

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this Act;

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(r) Customs Territory refers to areas in the Philippines where customs

and tariff laws may be enforced.
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(s) Entry refers to the act, documentation and process of bringing

imported goods into the customs territory, including goods coming from free

zones;

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(t) Export Declaration refers to the act, documentation, and process of

bringing goods out of Philippine territory;

(u) Flexible Clause refers to the power of the President upon

recommendation of the NEDA (1) to increase, reduce or remove existing

protective tariff rates of import duty, but in no case be higher than 100% ad

valorem, (2) to establish import quota or to ban importation of any commodity as

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maybe necessary, (3) to impose additional duty on all import not exceeding 10%

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ad valorem whenever necessary.

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(v) Foreign Exporter refers to one whose name appears on documentation

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attesting to the export of the product to the Philippines regardless of the

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manufacturers name in the invoice.

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(w) Free Zone refers to special economic zones registered with the

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Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) under Republic Act No. 7916, as

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amended, duly chartered or legislated freeports Special Economic Zones and

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Freeports such as Clark Freeport Zone, Poro Point Freeport Zone, John Hay

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Special Economic Zone and Subic Bay Freeport Zone under Republic Act No.

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7227 as amended by Republic Act No. 9400, the Aurora Special Economic Zone

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under Republic Act No. 9490, the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport

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under Republic Act No. 7922, the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone

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under Republic Act No. 7903, and Freeport Area of Bataan under Republic Act

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No. 9728 and such other freeports as established or maybe created by law;

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(x) Goods refer to articles, wares, merchandise and any other items which
are subject of importation or exportation;

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(y) Goods declaration refers to a statement made in the manner

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prescribed by the Bureau and other appropriate agencies, by which the persons

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concerned indicates the procedure to be observed in the application for the entry
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or admission of imported or exported goods and the particulars of which the

customs administration shall require;

(z) Importation refers to the act of bringing in of goods from a foreign

territory into Philippine territory, whether for consumption, warehousing, or

admission as defined in this Act.

(aa) Freight Forwarder refers to a local entity that acts as a cargo

intermediary and facilitates transport of goods on behalf of its client without

assuming the role of a carrier, which can also perform other forwarding services,

such as booking cargo space, negotiating freight rates, preparing documents,

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advancing

freight

payments,

providing

packing/crating,

trucking

and

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warehousing, engaging as an agent/representative of a foreign non-vessel

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operating as a common carrier/cargo consolidator named in a master bill of

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lading as consignee of a consolidated shipment, and other related undertakings.

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(bb) Jurisdictional Waters refers to the power and rights of the Bureau of

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Customs in exercising supervision and police authority over all seas within the

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jurisdiction of the Philippine territory and over all coasts, ports, airports, harbors,

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bays, rivers and inland waters whether navigable or not from the sea.

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(cc) Lodgement refers to the registration of a goods declaration with the

Bureau;

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(dd) Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) refers to an entity,

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which may or may not own or operate a vessel that provides a point-to-point

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service which may include several modes of transport and/or undertakes group

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age of less container load (LCL) shipments and issues the corresponding

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transport document;

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(ee) Outright Smuggling refers to an act of importing goods into the

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country without complete customs prescribed importation documents, or without

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being cleared by customs or other regulatory government agencies, for the

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purpose of evading payment of prescribed taxes, duties and other government

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charges.
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(ff) Perishable Goods refers to goods liable to perish or goods that

depreciate greatly in value while stored or which cannot be kept without great

disproportionate expense, which may be proceeded to, advertised and sold at

auction upon notice if deemed reasonable;

(gg) Port of Entry refers to a domestic port open to both domestic and

international trade, including principal ports of entry and subports of entry. A

principal port of entry is the chief port of entry of the Customs District wherein it is

situated and is the permanent station of the District Officer of such port. Subports

of entry are under the administrative jurisdiction of the District Officer of the

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principal port of entry of the Customs District. Port of entry as used in this Act

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shall include airport of entry;

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(hh) Port of Discharge, also called port of unloading, refers to a place

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where a vessel, ship, aircraft or train unloads its shipments, from where they will

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be dispatched to their respective consignees;

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(ii) Re-exportation means exportation of goods which have been imported;

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(jj) Release of goods refers to the action by the Bureau to permit goods

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undergoing clearance to be placed at the disposal of the party concerned;

(kk) Refund refers to the return, in whole or in part, of duties and taxes
paid on goods;

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(ll) Security refers to any form of guaranty, such as a surety bond, cash

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bond, standby letter of credit or irrevocable letter of credit, which ensures the

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satisfaction of an obligation to the Bureau;

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(mm) Smuggling refers to the fraudulent act of importing any goods into

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the Philippines, or the act of assisting in receiving, concealing, buying, selling,

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disposing or transporting such goods, with full knowledge that the same has

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been fraudulently imported, or the fraudulent exportation of goods. Goods

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referred to under this definition shall be known as smuggled goods;

(nn) Taxes refer to all taxes, fees and charges imposed under this Act and

the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended, and collected by the

Bureau;

(oo) Technical Smuggling refers to the act of importing goods into the

country by means of fraudulent, falsified or erroneous declaration of the goods to

its nature, kind, quality, quantity or weight, for the purpose of reducing or

avoiding payment of prescribed taxes, duties and other charges;

(pp) Tentative Release refers to a case where the assessment is disputed

and pending review importer may put up a cash bond equivalent to the duties

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and taxes and obtain release of the goods.

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(qq) Transit refers to the customs procedure under which goods, in its

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original form, are transported under customs control from one customs office to

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another, or to a free zone;

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(rr) Transshipment refers to the customs procedure under which goods

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are transferred under customs control from the importing means of transport to

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the exporting means of transport within the area of one Customs office, which is

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the office of both importation and exportation;

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(ss) Travelers refers to any person who temporarily enters the territory of

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a country in which he or she does not normally resides (non-resident), or who

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leaves that territory, and any person who leaves the territory of a country in

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which he or she normally resides (departing resident) or who returns to that

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territory (returning resident);

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(tt) Third Party refers to any person who deals directly with the Bureau, for

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and on behalf of another person, relating to the importation, exportation,

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movement or storage of goods.

SEC. 103.

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When Importation Begins and Deemed Terminated.

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Importation begins when the carrying vessel or aircraft enters the Philippine

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territory with the intention to unload therein. Importation is deemed terminated

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when:
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(a)

the duties, taxes and other charges due upon the goods have been

paid or secured to be paid at the port of entry unless the goods are free from

duties, taxes and other charges and legal permit for withdrawal has been

granted; or

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(b)

in case

the goods are deemed free of duties, taxes and other

charges, the goods have legally left the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

SEC. 104. When Duty and Tax is Due on Imported Goods. Except as

otherwise provided for in this Act or in other laws, all goods, when imported into

the Philippines, shall be subject to duty upon importation, including goods

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previously exported from the Philippines.

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Duties, taxes and other charges shall be paid prior to release of goods

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from customs custody which shall not in any case exceed fifteen (15) days from

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receipt of notice of final assessment. In case of withdrawal from the free zone of

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goods intended for consumption in the customs territory, duties, taxes, and other

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charges shall be paid prior to entry of the goods into the customs territory. In the

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case of highly compliant and low-risk importers or exporters, the Bureau may

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allow the deferred payment of duties and taxes for a period of not less than

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fourteen (14) days but not exceeding thirty (30) days. The government or any of

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its instrumentalities or agencies may avail of the deferred payment system for its

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importations, subject to the terms and conditions specified by the corresponding

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rules and regulation to be jointly issued by the Department of Finance (DOF) and

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the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

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Unpaid duties, taxes and other charges, shall incur legal interest of twenty

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percent (20%) per annum computed from the date of final assessment under

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Section 429, when payment becomes due and demandable. The legal interest

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shall likewise accrue on any fine or penalty imposed.

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Upon payment of the duties, taxes and other charges, the Bureau shall
issue the necessary receipt or document as proof of such payment.

In case of deferred payment, the Bureau may initiate legal action for the

collection of unpaid duties, taxes and other charges within three (3) years from

its due date.

SEC. 105.

Effective Date of Rate of Import Duty. Imported goods

shall be subject to the import duty rates under the applicable tariff heading that

are effective at the date of importation or upon withdrawal from the warehouse

for consumption. In case of withdrawal from free zones for introduction to the

customs territory, the duty rate at the time of withdrawal shall be applicable on

the goods originally admitted, whether withdrawn in its original or advanced form.

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In case of goods sold at customs public auction, the duty rates at the date

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of the auction shall apply for purposes of implementing Section 1142 (a).

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SEC. 106. Declarant. A declarant may be a consignee or a person who

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has the right to dispose of the goods. The declarant shall lodge a goods

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declaration with the Bureau and may be:

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(a) the importer, being the holder of the bill of lading; or

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(b) the exporter, being the owner of the goods to be shipped out; or

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(c) a customs broker acting under the authority of the importer or from a

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holder of the bill.

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In case the consignee or the person who has the right to dispose of the

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goods is a juridical person, it may authorize a responsible officer of the company

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to sign the goods declaration as declarant in its behalf.

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The import declarations submitted to the Bureau shall be processed by

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the declarant or by a licensed customs broker: Provided, That in case of export,

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the export declaration shall be signed by the exporter or, at his option, delegate

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the signing and processing of the document to his designated customs broker or

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authorized representative as provided in RA 9280, as amended.

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SEC. 107. Rights and Responsibilities of the Declarant. The

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declarant shall be responsible for the accuracy of the goods declaration and for

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the payment of all duties, taxes, and other charges due on the imported goods.
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The licensed customs broker shall likewise be responsible for the accuracy of the

goods declaration but shall not be responsible for the payment of duties, taxes

and other charges due on the imported goods.

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The declarant shall sign the goods declaration, even when assisted by a
licensed customs broker, who shall likewise sign the goods declaration.
SEC. 108.

Penalties for Errors in Goods Declaration. The Bureau

shall not impose substantial penalties for errors when such errors are inadvertent

and there was no fraudulent intent or gross negligence in the Commission

thereof: Provided, That, in order to discourage repetition of such errors, a penalty

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may be imposed but shall not be excessive.

SEC. 109.

Application

of

Information

and

Communications

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Technology. In accordance with international standards, the Bureau shall

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utilize information and communications technology to enhance customs control

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and to support a cost-effective and efficient customs operations geared towards

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a paperless customs environment.

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The security of date and communication shall be in a manner that is

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consistent with applicable local and internationally accepted standards on

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information security.

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The Bureau shall likewise include as part of its systems and processes, a

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disaster preparedness and recovery plan to ensure business continuity by

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maintaining its uptime goal for its electronic and online services.

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For purposes of customs procedures, electronic documents, permits,

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licenses or certificates shall be acceptable and shall have the legal effect, validity

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or enforceability as any other document or legal writing: Provided, That when the

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prescribed requirements are duly complied with, the Bureau shall:

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(a) recognize the authenticity and reliability of electronic documents;

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(b) submit approval in the form of electronic date messages or electronic

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documents; and

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(c) require and/or accept payments and issue receipts acknowledging

such payments through systems using electronic date messages or electronic

documents.

The introduction and implementation of information and communications

technology shall be undertaken with due consultation with directly affected

parties and stakeholders.

SEC. 110.

Relationship Between the Bureau and Third Parties.

Parties may transact business with the Bureau either directly or through a

designated third party to act on their behalf.

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The customs transactions directly transacted by a party shall not be

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treated less favorably or be subject to more stringent requirements than those

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transacted through a designated third party.

A designated third party shall have the same rights and obligations as the

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designating party when transacting business with the Bureau.

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Subject to the provisions of existing laws, treaties, convention and

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international agreements, the Secretary of Finance shall make the necessary

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guidelines for the defined relationship of the Bureau and third parties.
SEC. 111.

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Information of General Application. All laws, decisions,

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rulings, circulars, memoranda and orders shall be published in accordance with

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law.

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To foster an informed compliance regime, the Bureau shall ensure that all

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relevant and available information of general application pertaining to customs

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operations and procedures which are not confidential or intended for the

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Bureaus internal use only, shall be readily accessible to any interested person.

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Any new information, amendment or changes to customs law,

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administrative procedures or requirements, shall, as far as practicable, be made

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readily available prior to its effective date of implementation unless advance

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notice is precluded.

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SEC. 112.

Information of a Specific Nature.

The Bureau shall

provide information, not otherwise confidential or for the Bureaus internal use

only, relating to a specific matter as may be requested by an interested party for

legitimate use.

The Bureau may require the payment of a reasonable fee in providing

such information. the requested information shall be released within reasonable

time from filing of the request and payment of the fee.

SEC. 113. Decision and Ruling. The Bureau shall, consistent with

Section 1502 of this Act, issue binding and advance decision and ruling at the

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request of an interested party on matters pertaining to importation or exportation

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of goods.

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Upon written request of the interested party, the Bureau shall notify the

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party of its decision in writing within a period specified in this Act or by regulation.

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Should the decision be adverse to the requesting interested party, the reasons

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thereof shall be indicated and the party shall be advised of the partys right of

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appeal.

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The ruling and decision shall be issued by the Bureau within 30 days from
the submission of the necessary documents and information.
SEC. 114.

Right of Appeal, Forms and Ground.

Any party

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adversely affected by a decision or omission of the Bureau pertaining to an

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importation, exportation, or any other legal claim shall have the right of appeal

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within thirty (30) days from receipt of the questioned decision or order.

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An appeal in writing shall be filed within the period prescribed in this Act or
by regulation and shall specify the grounds thereof.
The Bureau may allow a reasonable time for the submission of supporting
evidence to the appeal.

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CHAPTER 3

TYPES OF IMPORTATION

SEC. 115.

Treatment of Importation.

Imported goods shall be

deemed entered in the Philippines for consumption when the goods declaration

is electronically lodged, together with any required supporting documents, with

the pertinent customs office.

SEC. 116.

Free Importation and Exportation. Unless otherwise

provided by law or regulation, all goods may be freely imported into and exported

from the Philippines without need for import and export permits, clearances or

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licenses.

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SEC. 117. Regulated Importation and Exportation. Goods which are

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subject to regulation shall be imported or exported only after securing the

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necessary import or export permits, clearances, licenses, and any other

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requirements, prior to importation or exportation. In case of importation,

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submission of requirements after arrival of the goods but prior to release from

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customs custody, shall only be allowed only in cases provided for by governing

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laws or regulations.

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SEC. 118.

Prohibited

Importation

and

Exportation.

The

importation and exportation of the following goods are prohibited:

(a)

Written or printed goods in any form containing any matter

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advocating or inciting treason, rebellion, insurrection, sedition against the

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government of the Philippines, or forcible resistance to any law of the Philippines,

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or written or printed goods containing any threat to take the life of, or inflict bodily

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harm upon any person in the Philippines;

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(b) Goods, instruments, drugs and substances designed, intended or

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adapted for producing unlawful abortion, or any printed matter which advertises,

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describes or gives direct or indirect information where, how or by whom unlawful

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abortion is committed;

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(c) Written or printed goods, negatives or cinematographic film,

photographs, engravings, lithographs, objects, paintings, drawings or other

representation of an obscene or immoral character;

(d) Any goods manufactured in whole or in part of gold, silver or other

precious metals or alloys and the stamp, brand or mark does not indicate the

actual fineness of quality of the metals or alloys;

(e) Any adulterated or misbranded food or goods for human consumption

or any adulterated or misbranded drug in violation of relevant laws and

regulations;

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(f) Infringing goods as defined under the intellectual property code and
related laws; and

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(g) All other goods or parts thereof, which importation and exportation are

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explicitly prohibited by law or rules and regulations issued by the competent

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authority.

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SEC. 119. Restricted Importation and Exportation. - Except when

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authorized by law or regulation, the importation and exportation of the following

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restricted goods are prohibited:

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(a) Dynamite, gunpowder, ammunitions and other explosives, firearms

and weapons of war, or parts thereof;

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(b) Roulette wheels, gambling outfits, loaded dice, marked cards,

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machines, apparatus or mechanical devices used in gambling or the distribution

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of money, cigars, cigarettes or other goods when such distribution is dependent

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on chance, including jackpot and pinball machines or similar contrivances, or

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parts thereof;

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(c) Lottery and sweepstakes tickets, except advertisements thereof and

lists of drawings therein.

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(d) Marijuana, opium, poppies, coca leaves, heroin or other narcotics or

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synthetic drugs which are or may hereafter be declared habit forming by the

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President of the Philippines, or any compound, manufactured salt, derivative, or

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preparation thereof, except when imported by the government of the Philippines

or any person duly authorized by the Dangerous Drugs Board, for medicinal

purposes;

(e) Opium pipes or parts thereof, of whatever material; and

(f) Any other goods which importation and exportation are restricted.

The restriction to import or export the above stated goods shall include the

restriction on their transshipment.

CHAPTER 4

RELIEF CONSIGNMENT
SEC. 120.

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Relief Consignment.

Goods such as food, medicine,

11

equipment and materials for shelter, donated or leased to government institutions

12

and accredited private entities for free distribution to or use of victims of

13

calamities shall be treated and entered as relief consignment.

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Upon declaration of a state of calamity, clearance of relief consignment

15

shall be a matter of priority and subject to a simplified customs procedure. the

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Bureau shall provide for:

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(a) Lodging of a simplified goods declaration or of a provisional or

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incomplete goods declaration subject to completion of the declaration within a

19

specified period;

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(b) Lodging, registering and checking of the goods declaration and

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supporting documents prior to the arrival of the goods, and their release upon

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arrival;

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(c) Clearance beyond the designated hours of business or away from

customs offices and waiver of any corresponding charges; and
(d) Examination

and/or

sampling

of

goods

only

in

exceptional

circumstances.

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The DOF and the Department of Social Welfare and Development

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(DSWD) shall jointly issue the rules and regulations for the implementation of this

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provision.
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SEC.121. Duty And Tax Treatment. - Relief consignment, as defined in

Section 120, imported during a state of calamity and intended for a specific

calamity area for the use of the calamity victims therein, shall be exempt from

duties and taxes.

TITLE II

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 200.

Chief Officials of the Bureau.

The Bureau shall be

10

headed by a Commissioner and shall be assisted by as many Deputy

11

Commissioners as may be necessary. The Commissioner and the Deputy

12

Commissioners shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines.

SEC. 201.

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Commissioner shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Exclusive and original jurisdiction to interpret the provisions of this Act,

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subject to review by the Secretary of Finance;

(b) Exercise any customs power, duties and functions, directly or

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indirectly;
(c) Review any action or decision of any customs officer performed

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20

Powers and Functions of the Commissioner. - The

pursuant to the provisions of this Act;

21

(d) Review and decide disputed assessments and other matters related

22

thereto, subject to the exclusive appellate jurisdiction of the Court of Tax Appeals

23

(CTA);

24

(e) Delegate the powers vested under this Act to any subordinate official

25

with the rank equivalent to division chief or higher, except for the following

26

powers and functions:

27

i. Promulgation of rules and regulations;

28

ii. Issuance, revocation or modification of rulings; and

29

iii. Compromising or abating customs obligations.

17

(f) Assign or reassign any customs officer subject to the approval of the

Secretary of Finance: Provided, That District Officers and other customs officers

that perform assessment functions shall not remain in the same area of

assignment for more than three (3) years; and

5
6
7
8
9
10

(g) Perform all other duties and functions as may be necessary for the
effective implementation of this Act and other customs related laws.
SEC. 202.

Functions of the Bureau. The Bureau shall exercise the

following duties and functions:

(a) Assessment and collection of customs revenues from imported goods
and other dues, fees, charges, fines and penalties accruing under this Act;

11

(b) Simplification and harmonization of customs procedures to facilitate

12

movement of goods in international trade; Border control to prevent entry of

13

smuggled goods;

14

(c) Prevention and suppression of smuggling and other customs fraud;

15

(d) Facilitation and security of international trade and commerce through

16
17
18

an informed compliance program;

(e) Supervision and control over the entrance and clearance of vessels
and aircraft engaged in foreign commerce;

19

(f) Supervision and control over the handling of foreign mails arriving in

20

the Philippines for the purpose of collecting revenues and prevent the entry of

21

contraband;

22

(g) Supervision and control on all import and export cargoes, landed or

23

stored in piers, airports, terminal facilities, including container yards and freight

24

stations;

25
26
27
28

(h) Exercise of exclusive original jurisdiction over forfeiture cases under

this Act; and
(i)

Enforcement of this Act and all other laws, rules and regulations

relating to tariff and customs administration.

18

SEC. 203.

Annual Report of the Commissioner. The Commissioner

shall submit to the President, the Congress of the Philippines and the National

Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) an annual report on the

performance of the Bureau, on or before March 31 of the following year.

SEC. 204.

Promulgation

of

Rules

and

Regulations.

The

Commissioner, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance, shall

promulgate rules and regulations for the enforcement of this Act. The

Commissioner shall regularly prepare and publish an updated customs manual,

and the rules, regulations and decisions of the Bureau. The Commissioner shall

10

furnish the Congress of the Philippines, NEDA and the Tariff Commission with

11

electronic copies of department orders, administrative orders, circulars, and rules

12

and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act.

13

SEC. 205.

Copies of Goods Declaration. The Commissioner shall

14

regularly furnish the NEDA, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Bureau

15

of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Tariff Commission electronic copies of all

16

customs goods declaration processed and cleared by the Bureau.

17

Upon request, the Tariff Commission shall have access to, and the right to

18

be furnished with copies of liquidated goods declaration and other documents

19

supporting the goods declaration as finally filed in the COA.

20
21

For this purpose, the Bureau shall maintain electronic records of goods
declaration and other documents supporting the declaration

22

CHAPTER 2

23

CUSTOMS DISTRICTS AND PORTS OF ENTRY

24

SEC. 206. Customs Districts.

For administrative purposes, the

25

Philippines shall be divided into as many Customs Districts as necessary, the

26

respective limits of which may be changed from time to time by the

27

Commissioner, with the approval of the Secretary of Finance.

28

Each Customs District shall be supervised by one (1) District Officer,

29

assisted by as many Deputy District Officers as may be necessary. The choice of

19

the location of a District Office, its business hours and the staffing pattern

thereof, shall be based on the particular requirements of each district.

SEC. 207. Ports of Entry.

All ports of entry shall be under the

supervision and control of a Customs District. A District Officer shall be assigned

in the principal ports of entry while a Deputy District Officer may be assigned in

other types of ports of entry.

The principal ports of entry shall be located in Aparri, San Fernando,

Manila, Manila International Container Port, Ninoy Aquino International Airport,

Subic, Clark, Batangas, Legaspi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Surigao, Cagayan de

10

Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Limay and such other ports created pursuant to this

11

Act.

12

For the effective enforcement of Bureau functions, sea port and airport

13

authorities and private port and airport operators shall provide suitable facilities

14

for examination areas and for other customs equipment free of charge.

15

SEC. 208.

Power of the President to Open and Close Any Port.

16

Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance, the President may open

17

or close any port of entry. Upon closure of a port of entry, the existing personnel

18

shall be reassigned by the Commissioner, subject to the approval of the

19

Secretary of Finance.

20

SEC. 209.

Assignment of Customs Officers and Employees to

21

Other Duties.

22

Finance, may assign any employee of the Bureau to any port, service, division or

23

office of the Bureau within the Bureaus staffing pattern or organizational

24

structure, or be assigned other duties: Provided, That such assignment shall not

25

affect the employees tenure of office nor result to change of status, demotion in

26

rank and/or salary deduction.

27
28
29

The Commissioner, with the approval of the Secretary of

SEC. 210. Duties of the District Officer.The District Officer shall have
the following duties in their assigned Customs District:
(1) ensure entry of all imported goods at the customs office;
20

(2) prevent importation and exportation of prohibited goods;

(3) ensure legal compliance of regulated goods and facilitate the flow of

legitimate trade;

(4) value and classify imported goods;

(5) assess and collect duties, taxes and other charges on imported goods;

(6) hold and dispose imported goods in accordance with this Act;

(7) prevent smuggling and other customs fraud; and

(8) perform other necessary duties that may be assigned by the

Commissioner for the effective implementation of this Act.

10

Subject to the supervision and control of the District Officer, the duties and

11

functions of the District Officer may be delegated to the Deputy District Officer.

12

The Deputy District Officer assigned to a sub-port shall be under the supervision

13

and control of the District Officer of the corresponding principal port.

14

SEC. 211.

Authority of the District Officer to Hold the Delivery or

15

Release of Imported Goods. Except for government importation, the District

16

Officer shall hold the delivery of imported or consigned goods to an importer with

17

an outstanding and demandable account with the Bureau. Upon due notice to the

18

importer, the District Officer may sell the goods or any portion thereof to cover

19

the payment of the outstanding account. However, the importer may settle the

20

overdue obligation prior to the sale. The goods shall be released and delivered to

21

the importer only after payment of the duties, taxes, and other charges.

22

SEC. 212.

Temporary Succession of Deputy District Officer to

23

Position of Acting District Officer. In the absence or disability of a District

24

Officer or, in case of a vacancy, the Deputy District Officer shall temporarily

25

discharge the duties of the District Officer. Should there be no Deputy District

26

Officer, the District Officer shall designate, in writing, a senior ranking officer to

27

temporarily perform the duties of the District Officer. In case there are two or

28

more senior ranking officers with equal length of service, a drawing of lots shall

21

be undertaken. The District Officer shall report the designation to the

Commissioner within twenty-four (24) hours after the designation.

SEC. 213.

Records to be Kept by Customs Officers. District

Officers, Deputy District Officers, and customs officers acting in such capacities

must maintain permanent records of official transactions and turn-over all records

and official papers to their respective successors or other authorized officials.

The records shall be made available for inspection by other authorized officials of

the Bureau.

9
10
11

If required, the District Officer shall affix on all documents and records
requiring authentication the official dry seal of the Bureau.
SEC. 214.

Reports of the District Officer to the Commissioner.

12

The District Officer shall report to the Commissioner any probable or initiated

13

litigation within the Customs District and shall submit regular monthly reports on

14

all district transactions.

15

CHAPTER 3

16

EXERCISE OF POLICE AUTHORITY

17

SEC. 215.

Persons Exercising Police Authority. For the effective

18

implementation of this Act, the following persons are authorized to effect search,

19

seizure, and arrest:

20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27

(a) Officials of the Bureau, District Officers, Deputy District Officers, police
officers, agents, inspectors and guards of the Bureau;
(b) Officers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
and national law enforcement agencies;
(c) Officials of the BIR on all cases falling within the regular performance
of their duties, when payment of internal revenue taxes is involved; and
All officers authorized by the Commissioner to exercise police authority
shall at all times coordinate with the Commissioner.

22

Goods/articles seized by deputized officers pursuant to this Section shall

be physically turned-over immediately to the Bureau, unless provided under

existing laws, rules and regulations.

4
5

For this purpose, mission orders shall clearly indicate the specific name
carrying out the mission and the tasks to be carried out.

Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance, the Commissioner

shall define the scope, areas covered, procedures and conditions governing the

exercise of such police authority including custody and responsibility for the

seized goods. The rules and regulations to this effect shall be furnished the

10

concerned government agencies and personnel for guidance and compliance.

11

All seizures pursuant to this Section must be effected in accordance with

12

the provisions on the conduct of seizure proceedings provided for in Chapters 3

13

and 4 of Title XI of this Act.

14

SEC. 216.

Place Where Authority May be Exercised. All persons

15

conferred with powers in the preceding section may exercise the same at any

16

place within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs.

17

The Bureau of Customs shall exercise police authority in all areas defined

18

in Section 300 of this Act. Port authorities shall provide authorized customs

19

officials with unhampered access to all premises of the customs zone within their

20

administrative jurisdiction.

21

The Bureau of Customs may exercise oversight police authority in

22

economic or free port zone subject to proper coordination with the governing

23

authority of the zone. For this purpose, to ensure consistency and harmony in

24

the formulation and implementation of customs policies affecting the zone, the

25

Commissioner of Customs shall sit as an ex-officio member of the board of

26

directors of all economic or freeport zone authorities.

27
28

SEC. 217.

Exercise of Power of Seizure. Any person exercising

police authority under this Act has the power and duty to seize any vessel,

23

aircraft, cargo, goods, animal or any other movable property when the same is

subject to forfeiture or when they are subject of a fine imposed under this Act.

SEC. 218.

Duty of Officer to Disclose Official Character. For the

proper exercise of police authority, any authorized person shall disclose the

nature of the authority upon being questioned at the time of exercise thereof shall

exhibit the corresponding written authority issued by the Commissioner.

SEC. 219.

Authority to Require Assistance and Information. Any

person exercising police authority may demand the assistance of and request

information from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the

10

Philippines (AFP) and other national law enforcement agency, when necessary

11

to effect any search, seizure or arrest. It shall be the duty of any police officer

12

and other national law enforcers to give such lawful assistance.

13

SEC. 220.

Authority to Enter Properties. Any person exercising

14

police authority may at any time enter, pass through, and search any land,

15

enclosure, warehouse, store, building or structure not principally used as a

16

dwelling or house.

17

When a security personnel or any other employee lives in the warehouse,

18

store, or any building, structure or enclosure that is used for storage of goods, it

19

shall not be considered as a dwelling or house for purposes of this Act.

20

SEC. 221. Authority to Search Dwelling House. A dwelling or house

21

may be entered and searched only upon warrant issued by a Judge of the Court

22

or such other responsible officers as may be authorized, the sworn application

23

thereon showing probable cause and particularly describing the place to be

24

searched and things to be seized.

25

SEC. 222.

Authority to Search Vessels or Aircrafts and Persons or

26

Goods Conveyed Therein. Any person exercising police authority under this

27

Act may board, inspect, search and examine a vessel or aircraft and any

28

container, trunk, package, box or envelope found on board, and physically

29

search and examine any person thereon. In case of any probable violation of this
24

Act, the person exercising police authority may seize the goods, vessel, aircraft,

or any part thereof.

Such power to search includes removal of any false bottom, partition,

bulkhead, or any other obstruction for the purpose of uncovering any concealed

dutiable or forfeitable goods.

The proceeding herein authorized shall not give rise to any claim for

damage caused to the goods, vessel or aircraft, unless there is gross negligence

or abuse of authority in the exercise thereof.

SEC. 223.

Authority to Search Vehicles, Other Carriers, Persons

10

and Animals. Upon reasonable cause, any person exercising police authority

11

may open and examine any box, trunk, envelope, or other container for purposes

12

of determining the presence of dutiable or prohibited goods. This authority

13

includes the search of receptacles used for the transport of human remains and

14

dead animals. Such authority likewise includes the power to stop, search and

15

examine any vehicle or carrier, person or animals suspected of holding or

16

conveying dutiable or prohibited goods.

17

SEC. 224.

Authority to Search Persons Arriving From Foreign

Travelers arriving from foreign countries may be subjected to

18

Countries.

19

search and detention by the customs officers. The dignity of the person under

20

search and detention shall be respected at all times.

21

SEC. 225.

Power to Inspect and Visit. The Commissioner or any

22

customs officer who is authorized in writing by the Commissioner, may demand

23

evidence of payment of duties and taxes on imported goods openly for sale or

24

kept in storage. In the event that the interested party fails to produce such

25

evidence within fifteen (15) days, the goods may be seized and subjected to

26

forfeiture proceedings: Provided, That during the proceedings the interested

27

party shall be given the opportunity to prove or show the source of the goods and

28

the payment of duties and taxes thereon: Provided, further, That when the

29

warrant of seizure has been issued but subsequent documents presented

25

evidencing proper payment are found to be authentic and in order, the District

Officer shall, within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the motion to quash or

recall the warrant, shall cause the immediate release of the goods seized,

subject to clearance by the Commissioner:

release thereof shall not be contrary to law.

Provided, furthermore, That the

TITLE III

CUSTOMS JURISDICTION AND CUSTOMS CONTROL

CHAPTER 1

CUSTOMS JURISDICTION

10

SEC. 300.

Customs Jurisdiction. For the effective implementation

11

of this Act, the Bureau shall exercise jurisdiction over all seas within Philippine

12

territory and all coasts, ports, airports, harbors, bays, rivers and inland waters

13

whether navigable or not from the sea and any means of conveyance.

14

The Bureau shall pursue imported goods subject to seizure during its

15

transport by land, water and air and shall exercise jurisdiction as may be

16

necessary for the effective enforcement of this Act. When a vessel or aircraft

17

becomes subject to seizure for violation of this Act, a pursuit of such vessel or

18

aircraft which began within the territorial waters or air space may continue

19

beyond the same, and the vessel or aircraft may be seized in the high seas or

20

international air space.

21

CHAPTER 2

22

CUSTOMS CONTROL

23

SEC. 301.

Customs Control Over Goods.

All goods, including

24

means of transport, entering or leaving the customs territory, regardless of

25

whether they are liable to duties and taxes, shall be subject to customs control to

26

ensure compliance with this Act.

27

In the application of customs control, the Bureau shall use audit-based

28

controls and risk management systems and adopt a compliance measurement

29

strategy to support risk management.

26

The Bureau shall seek to cooperate and conclude mutual administrative

assistance agreements with other customs administrations to enhance customs

control.

government regulatory agencies, free zones authorities, and the customs

stakeholders in general to enhance customs control.

The Bureau shall consult, coordinate, and cooperate with other

SEC. 302. Enforcement of Port Regulation of Bureau of Quarantine. -

Customs officials and employees shall cooperate with the quarantine authorities

in the enforcement of the port quarantine regulations promulgated by the Bureau

of Quarantine and shall give effect to the same in so far as connected with

10
11

matters of shipping and navigation.

SEC. 303.

Control Over Premises Used for Customs Purposes.

12

The Bureau shall, for customs purposes, have exclusive control, direction and

13

management of customs offices, facilities, warehouses, ports, airports, wharves,

14

and other premises in the Customs Districts, in all cases without prejudice to the

15

general police powers of the local government units (LGUs), the Philippine Coast

16

Guard and of law enforcement agencies in the exercise of their respective

17

functions.

18

SEC. 304.

Power of the President to Subject Premises to Customs

19

Jurisdiction. The President may, by executive order, declare any public

20

wharf, landing place, street or land, in any port of entry under the jurisdiction of

21

the Bureau as may be necessary, for customs purposes.

22

SEC. 305.

Trespass or Obstruction of Customs Premises. No

23

person shall enter or obstruct a customs office, warehouse, port, airport, wharf,

24

or other premises under the control of the Bureau without prior authority,

25

including the streets or alleys where these facilities are located.

26

SEC. 306.

Special Surveillance for the Protection of Customs

27

Revenue and Prevention of Smuggling.

28

surveillance on vessels or aircrafts entering Philippine territory and on imported

29

goods entering the customs office: Provided, That the function of the Philippine
27

The

Bureau shall conduct

Coast Guard to prevent and suppress the illegal entry of these goods, smuggling

and other forms of customs fraud and violations of maritime law and its proper

surveillance of vessels entering and/or leaving Philippine territory as provided in

Republic Act No. 9993,otherwise known as the Philippine Coast Guard Law of

2009, shall continue to be in force.

Temporary Storage Of Goods. Subject to the rules and

SEC. 307.

regulations to be issued by the Secretary of Finance, the Commissioner shall

establish a system for temporary storage of imports prior to goods declaration.

TITLE IV

10

IMPORT CLEARANCE AND FORMALITIES

11

CHAPTER 1

12

GOODS DECLARATION

13

SEC. 400.

Goods to be Imported through Customs Office.

All

14

goods imported into the Philippines shall be entered through a customs office at

15

a port of entry, or may be admitted to or removed from a free zone as defined in

16

this Act, as the case may be.

17

SEC. 401.

Importations Subject to Goods Declaration.

Unless

18

otherwise provided for in this Act, all imported goods shall be subject to the

19

lodgement of a goods declaration. A goods declaration may be for consumption,

20

for customs bonded warehousing, for admission, for conditional importation, or

21

for customs transit.

22

SEC. 402. Goods Declaration for Consumption. - All goods declaration

23

for consumption shall be cleared through a formal entry process except for the

24

following goods which shall be cleared through an informal entry process:

25
26
27
28

(a) Goods of a commercial nature with free on board (FOB) or free carrier
at (FCA) value of less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00); and
(b) Personal and household effects or goods, not in commercial quantity,
imported in a passengers baggage or mail.

28

1
2

The Commissioner may adjust the value of goods of commercial nature

that shall be cleared through an informal entry process.

All importations entered through a formal entry process shall be covered

by a letter of credit or any verifiable commercial document evidencing payment

or in cases where there is no sale for export, by any commercial document

indicating the commercial value of the goods.

SEC. 403. Provisional Goods Declaration. - Where the declarant does

not have all the information or supporting documents required to complete the

goods declaration, the lodging of a provisional goods declaration may be

10

allowed: Provided, that it substantially contains the necessary information

11

required by the Bureau and the declarant undertakes to complete the information

12

or submit the supporting documents within forty-five (45) days from the filing of

13

the provisional goods declaration, which period may be extended by the bureau

14

for another forty-five (45) days for valid reasons.

15
16

If the Bureau accepts a provisional goods declaration, the duty treatment

of the goods shall not be different from that of goods with complete declaration.

17

Goods under a provisional goods declaration may be released upon

18

posting of any security required equivalent to the amount that is disputed to

19

ensure collection of applicable duties and taxes.

20

SEC. 404.

Owner of Imported Goods. All goods imported into the

21

Philippines shall be deemed to be the property of the consignee or the holder of

22

the bill of lading, airway bill or other equivalent transport document if duly

23

endorsed by the consignee therein, or, if consigned to order, duly endorsed by

24

the consignor. The underwriters of abandoned goods and the salvors of goods

25

saved from wreck at sea, coast, or any area of the Philippines, may be regarded

26

as the consignees.

27

SEC. 405.

Liability of Importer for Duties and Taxes. The liability

28

for duties, taxes, fees, and other charges attached to importation constitutes a

29

personal debt due and demandable against the importer in favor of the
29

government and shall be discharged only upon payment of duties, taxes, fees,

and other charges. It also constitutes a lien on the imported goods which may be

enforced while such goods are under customs custody.

SEC. 406.

Importations by the Government. Except those provided

for in Section 800 of this Act, all importations by the government for its own use

or that of its subordinate branches or instrumentalities, or corporations, agencies

or instrumentalities owned or controlled by the government, shall be subject to

the duties, taxes, fees, and other charges under this Act.

SEC. 407.

Goods Declaration and Period of Filing.

As far as

10

practicable, the format of the goods declaration shall conform with international

11

standards. The data required in the goods declaration shall be limited to such

12

particulars that are deemed necessary for the assessment and collection of

13

duties and taxes, the compilation of statistics and compliance with this Act. The

14

Bureau shall require the electronic lodgement of the goods declaration.

15

The Bureau shall only require supporting documents necessary for

16

customs control to ensure that all requirements of the law have been complied

17

with. Translation of supporting documents shall not be required except when

18

necessary.

19

Goods declaration must be lodged within fifteen (15) days from the date of

20

discharge of the last package from the vessel or aircraft. The period to file the

21

goods declaration may, upon request, be extended on valid grounds for another

22

fifteen (15) days: Provided, That the request is made before the expiration of the

23

original period within which to file the goods declaration: Provided, however, That

24

the period of the lodgement of the goods declaration may be adjusted by the

25

Commissioner.

26

SEC. 408.

Lodgement and Amendment Goods Declaration. The

27

Bureau shall permit the electronic lodging of the goods declaration at any

28

designated customs office. The Bureau shall, for valid reason and under terms

29

and conditions provided by regulation, permit the declarant to amend the goods
30

declaration that has already been lodged: Provided, that the request to amend

the goods declaration, together with the intended amendments, must be received

prior to final assessment or examination of the goods.

SEC. 409. Advance Lodgement and Clearance. - The Bureau may

provide for the lodgement and clearance of goods declaration and supporting

documents prior to the arrival of the goods under such terms and conditions as

may be provided by rules and regulations to be promulgated under this Act.

SEC. 410.

Entry of Goods in Part for Consumption and in Part for

Warehousing. Goods declaration covered by one bill of lading or airway bill

10

over goods which are meant in part for consumption and in part for warehousing

11

may be both entered simultaneously for release at the port of entry.

12

SEC. 411.

Contents of Goods Declaration. Goods declarations shall

13

contain the names of the consignee, importing vessel or aircraft, port of

14

departure, port of destination and date of arrival, the number and marks of

15

packages, or the quantity, if in bulk, the nature and correct commodity

16

description of the goods contained therein, its value as set forth in a proper

17

invoice, and such other information as may be required by rules and regulation.

18

SEC. 412.

Statements to be Provided in the Goods Declaration.

19

No entry of imported goods shall be allowed unless the goods declaration has

20

been lodged with the Bureau. The goods declaration shall, under penalties of

21

falsification or perjury, contain the following statements:

22

(a) The invoice and goods declaration contain an accurate and faithful

23

account of the prices paid or payable for the goods, and other adjustments to the

24

price actually paid or payable, and that nothing has been omitted therefrom or

25

concealed whereby the government of the Republic of the Philippines might be

26

defrauded of any part of the duties and taxes lawfully due on the goods; and

27

(b) To the best of the declarants information and belief, all the invoices

28

and bills of lading or airway bills relating to the goods are the only ones in

29

existence relating to the importation in question, band that these documents are
31

in the same state as when they were received by the declarant, and the

declaration thereon are in all respects genuine and true.

Goods declaration shall be submitted electronically pursuant to Republic

Act No. 8792 otherwise known as the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000. Such

declarations when printed and certified by a competent customs officer as a

faithful reproduction of the electronic submission shall be considered as

actionable documents for purposes of prosecuting a declarant if the declarations

are found to be fraudulent.

SEC. 413.

Description of Goods. Under such terms and conditions

10

prescribed under the rules and regulations, the description of the goods in the

11

goods declaration must be sufficient and specific in detail to enable the goods to

12

be identified for valuation, statistical purposes, to be classified to the appropriate

13

tariff heading and subheading in the currency of the invoice, and in such other

14

particulars necessary for the proper assessment and collection of duties and

15

taxes. The quantity and values of each of the several classes of goods shall be

16

separately declared according to their respective headings or subheadings and

17

the totals of each heading or subheading shall be duly shown.

18
19

SEC. 414. Commercial and Non-commercial Invoice. Commercial

invoice of imported goods shall contain the following:

20

(a) the agreed price paid or to be paid for the goods;

21

(b) the adjustments to the price paid or to be paid as defined in Section

22

701 (1) of this Act, if not yet included in the invoice;

23

(c) the names of the buyer, seller, and the time and place of sale;

24

(d) the port of entry;

25

(e) a sufficient description to enable the accurate identification of goods

26

for tariff classification, customs valuation, and statistical purposes, indicating the

27

correct commodity description, in customary term or commercial designation,

28

the grade or quality, numbers, marks or symbols under which they are sold by

32

the seller or manufacturer, together with the marks and number of packages in

which the goods are packed;

(f) the quantities in the weights or measures of the goods shipped; and

(g) any other fact deemed necessary for the proper examination, customs

valuation, and tariff classification of the goods as may be prescribed by rules and

regulation

To the extent possible, the above requirements shall also apply to goods

imported not covered by sale, such as goods on consignment or lease, samples,

or donations, covered by a consignment, pro-forma invoice, or other non-

10
11

commercial invoice.
SEC. 415.

Mode of Payment and Terms of Trade.

Subject to

12

existing laws and rules on foreign currency exchange, the internationally

13

accepted standards and practices on the mode of payment or remittance

14

covering import and export transactions, including standards developed by

15

international trading bodies such as the International Chamber of Commerce

16

(ICC) on trading terms (incoterms) and on international letters of credit such as

17

the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP), shall be

18

recognized.

19

SEC. 416. Examination of Samples. Customs officers shall see to it

20

that representative samples taken during examination shall be properly receipted

21

for and retained within a reasonable period of time. The quantity and value of

22

the samples taken shall be noted in the specified box of the import entry or

23

electronic form. Such samples shall be duly labeled as will definitely identify them

24

with the importation for which they are taken.

25

SEC. 417.

Forwarding of Cargo and Remains of Wrecked Vessel or

26

Aircraft. When vessels or aircrafts are wrecked within the Philippines, the

27

original owners or consignees of the cargo, or by its underwriters, in case of

28

abandonment, may seek approval from the Bureau to forward the goods saved

29

from the wreck to the ports of destination without going through the customs
33

office in the district in which the goods were cast ashore or unloaded. Upon

approval, the goods may be forwarded with particular manifests and duly certified

by a customs officer in charge of the goods.

The owner of the vessel or aircraft may be permitted to export the remains

of the wreck upon proper examination and inspection. The remains of a wrecked

vessel shall include not only its hull and rigging, but also all sea stores, goods

and equipment, such as sails, ropes and chain anchors.

SEC. 418. Derelicts and Goods from Abandoned Wrecks.

Derelicts and all goods recovered from sea or from abandoned wrecks shall be

10

under the jurisdiction of the port where the goods arrive, and shall be retained in

11

the custody of the Bureau. If not claimed by the owner, underwriter or salvor, the

12

same shall be deemed as property of the government.

13
14

When such goods are brought into port by lighters or other craft, each
vessel shall submit a manifest of their respective cargo.

15

The customs officer nearest the scene of the wreck shall take charge of

16

the goods saved and shall give immediate notice to the District Officer or the

17

nearest customs office.

18

In order to prevent any attempt to commit fraud, the District Officer shall

19

be represented at the salvage of the cargo by customs officers who shall

20

examine and receive the inventory made on the cargo.

21

Derelicts and goods salvaged from foreign vessels or aircrafts recovered

22

from sea or wreck are prima facie dutiable and may be entered for consumption

23

or warehousing. If claimed to be of Philippine production, and consequently

24

conditionally duty-free, proof must be submitted as in ordinary cases of re-

25

importation of goods. Foreign goods landed from a vessel or aircraft in distress

26

is dutiable if sold or disposed of in the Philippines.

27

Before any goods taken from a recent wreck are admitted to the customs

28

territory, the same shall be appraised, and the owner or importer shall have the

29

same right to appeal as in ordinary importation.

34

1
2

No part of a Philippine vessel or aircraft or its equipment, wrecked either

in Philippine or foreign waters, shall be subject to duty.

CHAPTER 2

EXAMINATION OF GOODS

SEC. 419.

Examination of Goods. Examination of goods, when

required by the Bureau, shall be conducted immediately after the goods

declaration has been lodged. Priority in the examination shall be given to live

animals, perishable goods and other goods requiring immediate examination.

Whenever necessary, a system of coordination and joint examination of

10

goods shall be established by the Bureau and other regulatory agencies under

11

existing laws and regulations.

12

As a general rule, the Bureau may examine the goods in the presence of

13

the declarant or an authorized representative. Examination of the goods in the

14

absence of the declarant or authorized representative may be allowed in

15

exceptional circumstance and for valid and justifiable grounds. The Bureau may

16

require the declarant to be present or to be represented at the examination of the

17

goods or to render any assistance necessary to facilitate the examination.

18

The Bureau shall take samples of the goods only when needed to

19

establish the tariff description and value of goods declared, or to ensure

20

compliance with this Act. Samples drawn shall be as minimal as possible.

21

SEC. 420.

Conditions for Examination. Pursuant to internationally

22

accepted standards, the Bureau may adopt non-intrusive examination of goods,

23

such as the use of x-ray machines.

24

Physical examination of the goods shall be conducted when:

25

(a)

26

it is directed by the Commissioner on account of a derogatory

information;

27

(b) the goods are subject to an Alert Order issued by competent authority;

28

(c) the goods are electronically selected for physical examination;

35

1
2

(d) there are issues and controversies surrounding the goods declaration
and the import clearance process; or

(e) the importer or declarant requests for the examination of the goods.

The Commissioner may exempt from physical examination the goods of

authorized economic operators or of those provided for under any existing trade

facilitation program of the Bureau.

7
8
9

Physical examination, when required, shall be conducted in an

expeditious manner.
SEC. 421.

Duties of Customs Officer Tasked to Examine the

In the examination, classification, and valuation of the

10

Imported Goods.

11

goods, the customs officer shall:

12

(a) determine whether the packages for examination and their contents

13

are in accordance with the goods declaration, invoice and other pertinent

14

documents;

15
16

(b) take samples of the imported goods for examination or laboratory

analysis when necessary;

17

(c) issue a receipt for a sample taken and retained during examination;

18

(d) report whether the goods have been correctly declared as to quantity,

19
20
21
22

measurement, weight, tariff classification and not imported contrary to law.

Failure on the part of the customs officer to perform the above duties shall
be penalized according to Section 1431 of Title XIV of this Act.
SEC. 422.

Customs Expenses Constituting Charges on Goods.

23

The cost of examination shall be for the account of the importer or exporter. All

24

expenses incurred by the Bureau for the handling or storage of goods and other

25

necessary operations shall be chargeable against the goods, and shall constitute

26

a lien thereon.

36

CHAPTER 3

ASSESSMENT AND RELEASE

SEC. 423. Determination of the De Minimis Value. No duties and

taxes shall be collected on goods with an FOB or FCA value of Ten Thousand

Pesos (P10,000.00) or below. The Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation

of the Commissioner shall review and adjust the de minimis value as provided

herein, every three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act.

hereinstated shall be adjusted to its present value using the Consumer Price

Index (CPI), as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

10

SEC. 424.

The value

Duty of Customs Officer Task to Assess Imported

11

Goods. For purposes of assessing duties and taxes on imported goods, the

12

customs officer shall classify, value, and determine the duties and taxes to be

13

paid. The customs officer shall prepare and submit an assessment report as

14

established under this Act.

15

SEC. 425.

Tentative Assessment of Goods Subject to Dispute

16

Settlement. Assessment shall be deemed tentative if the duties and taxes

17

initially assessed are disputed by the importer. The assessment shall be

18

completed upon final readjustment based on the tariff ruling in case of

19

classification dispute, or the final resolution of the protest case involving

20

valuation, rules of origin, and other customs issues.

21

The District Officer may allow the release of importation under tentative

22

assessment upon the posting of sufficient security to cover the applicable duties

23

and taxes equivalent to the amount that is disputed.

24

SEC. 426. Tentative Assessment of Provisional Goods Declaration.

25

Assessment of a provisional goods declaration shall be deemed tentative and

26

such assessment shall be completed upon final readjustment upon submission

27

by the declarant of the additional information or documentation required to

28

complete the declaration within the period provided in Section 403.

37

SEC. 427. Readjustment of Appraisal, Classification or Return.

Such appraisal, classification return as finally passed upon and approved or

modified by the district officer shall not be altered or modified in any manner,

except:

5
6

(a) Within one year after payment of the duties, upon statement of error in
conformity with Section 912 as approved by the District Officer;

(b) Within fifteen (15) days after such payment upon request for

reappraisal or reclassification addressed to the commissioner by the District

Officer, if the appraisal or classification is deemed to be low;

10

(c) Upon request for reappraisal and/or reclassification, in the form of a

11

timely protest addressed to the district officer by the interested party if the latter

12

should be dissatisfied with the appraisal or return;

13
14

(d) Upon demand by the Commissioner after the completion of

compliance audit in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

15

SEC. 428. Assessment of Duty on Less Than Entered Value. Duty

16

shall not be assessed in any case upon an amount less than the entered value,

17

unless by direction of the commissioner in cases when the importer certifies at the

18

time of entry that the entered value is higher than the dutiable value and that the

19

goods are so entered in order to meet increases made by the appraiser in similar

20

cases then pending re-appraisement; and the lower assessment shall be allowed

21

only when the importer's contention is sustained by the final decision, and shall

22

appear that such action of the importer was taken in good faith after due

23

diligence and inquiry.

24
25
26

SEC. 429. Final Assessment. Assessment shall be deemed final fifteen

(15) days after receipt of the notice of assessment by the importer or consignee.
SEC. 430.

Period of Limitation. In the absence of fraud and when

27

the goods have been finally assessed and released, the assessment shall be

28

conclusive upon all parties three (3) years from the date of final payment of

29

duties, or upon completion of the post clearance audit.

38

SEC. 431.

Release of Goods after Payment of Duties and Taxes.

Goods declared shall be released when duties and taxes and other lawful

charges have been paid or secured and all the pertinent laws, rules and

regulations have been complied with.

When the Bureau requires laboratory analysis of samples, detailed

technical documents or expert advice, it may release the goods before the

results of such examination are known after posting of sufficient security by the

declarant.

SEC. 432.

Release of Goods to the Holder of Bill of Lading or

Any customs officer who releases goods to the consignee or

10

Airway Bill.

11

lawful holder of the bill of lading or airway bill shall not be liable for any defect or

12

irregularity in its negotiation unless the customs officer has notice of the defect or

13

irregularity.

14

SEC. 433.

Release of Goods Without Production of Bill of Lading

15

or Airway Bill. No customs officer shall release goods to any person without

16

the submission of the bill of lading or airway bill covering the goods, except on

17

written order of the carrier or agent of the vessel or aircraft, in which case neither

18

the government nor the customs officer shall be held liable for any damage

19

arising from wrongful release of the goods: Provided, That when the release of

20

goods is made against such written order, the customs officer shall require the

21

submission of a copy of the bill.

22

SEC. 434.

Release of Goods Upon Order of Importer.

An

23

importer may issue a written authorization for the release of goods stored in a

24

bonded warehouse to another person. Such authorization shall not relieve the

25

importer from liability for the duties, taxes and other charges due on the goods

26

unless the person to whom the release was authorized assumes such liability.

27

SEC. 435.

Withholding Release Pending Satisfaction of Lien.

28

When the District Officer is duly notified through a lawful order of a competent

29

court of a lien for freight, lighterage or general average upon any imported
39

goods, the District Officer shall withhold the release of the goods unless the

claim has been paid or secured. In case of disagreement, the district officer may

release the goods after payment of the freight and lighterage due on the quantity

or weight landed as actually determined.

5
6

SEC. 436.

Fine or Surcharge on Goods. Goods subject to any fine

or surcharge shall be released only after the payment of the fine or surcharge.

CHAPTER 4

SPECIAL PROCEDURES

SEC. 437.

Traveler And Passenger Baggage. The Bureau shall

10

provide simplified customs procedure for traveler and baggage processing based

11

on international agreements and customs best practices.

12

Travelers shall be permitted to export goods for commercial purposes,

13

subject to compliance with the necessary export formalities and payment of

14

export duties, taxes, and charges, if any.

15

SEC. 438.

Postal Item Or Mail. Postal item or mail shall include

16

letter-post and parcels, as described in international practices and agreements,

17

such as the Acts of the Universal Postal Union (AUPU), currently in force.

18

A simplified procedure shall be used in the clearance of postal item or

19

mail, including the collection of the applicable duties and taxes on such items or

20

goods.

21

When all the information required by the customs are available in the

22

special declaration form for postal items as provided in the AUPU or similar

23

international agreements, the special declaration form and supporting documents

24

shall be the goods declaration. However, a separate goods declaration shall be

25

required for the following:

26
27

(a) Goods whose value fall within the level that the Commissioner has
determined to be taxable and thus must be covered by a goods declaration;

28

(b) Prohibited and regulated goods;

29

(c) Goods the exportation of which must be certified; and

40

1
2
3

(d) Imported goods under a customs procedure other than for

consumption.
Express Shipment. The Bureau shall provide simplified

SEC. 439.

customs procedures based on international standards and customs best

practices for air shipments considered as time-sensitive and requiring pre-arrival

clearance. Express shipments of accredited air express cargo operators may be

released prior to the payment of the duty, tax, and other charges upon posting of

a sufficient security.

TITLE V

10

EXPORT CLEARANCE AND FORMALITIES

11

CHAPTER 1

12

EXPORT CLEARANCE AND DECLARATION

13

SEC. 500.

Export Goods Declaration. All goods exported from the

14

Philippines, whether subject to export duty or not, shall be declared through a

15

competent customs office through an export goods declaration, duly signed

16

electronically or otherwise by the party making the declaration.

17

The description of the goods in the export declaration must contain

18

sufficient and specific information for statistical purposes and as well as for the

19

proper valuation and classification of the goods.

20

SEC. 501.

Export Product to Conform to Standard Grades.

If

21

applicable, products shall conform to export standard grades established by the

22

government. The packaging of the said goods shall likewise be labeled and

23

marked in accordance with related laws and regulations. Export permits may not

24

be granted for goods violating the aforementioned requirements.

25

SEC. 502. Lodgement and Processing of Export Declaration. The

26

Bureau of Customs shall promulgate rules and regulations to allow manual and

27

electronic lodgement and processing of the export declaration.

28
29

SEC. 503. Rules of Origin. -

Pursuant to the applicable rules of origin,

the Bureau or any other designated government agency may determine the
41

origin of goods for export and, if appropriate, issue the corresponding certificates

of origin. However, the exporter may adopt a self-certification system, provided

that it is duly accredited by the Bureau or any other authorized government

agencies.

TITLE VI

CUSTOMS TRANSIT AND TRANSSHIPMENT

CHAPTER 1

CUSTOMS TRANSIT

SEC. 600. Customs Transit in the Customs Territory.

Customs

10

transit within the customs territory shall be allowed for goods except those

11

intended for consumption, to be transported as follows:

12
13

(a) from port of entry to another port of entry as exit point for outright
exportation;

14

(b) from port of entry to another port of entry or inland customs office;

15

(c) from inland customs office to a port of entry as exit point for outright

16
17
18

exportation; and
(d) from one port of entry or inland customs office to another port of entry
or inland customs office.

19

A transit permit is required for goods transported under customs transit.

20

However, transfer of goods in customs transit from one means of transport to

21

another shall be allowed: Provided, That any customs seal or fastening is not

22

broken or tampered.

23

The party responsible for the compliance of the obligations imposed on

24

customs transit shall ensure that the goods are presented intact and in due

25

course at the customs office of destination. Failure to comply with the

26

aforementioned obligations or likewise failure to follow a prescribed itinerary or

27

period for delivery of the goods may immediately subject the goods to the

28

corresponding duties, taxes, and other applicable, fines, penalties, and

29

surcharges.
42

SEC. 601.

Duty and Tax on Goods Intended for Transit. Transit

goods admitted for storage in a customs bonded warehouse, or for outright

exportation at the port of destination or inland customs office, shall not be subject

to the payment of duties and taxes at the port of discharge: Provided, That any

conditions and security required by the Bureau are complied with.

6
7
8

Goods for consumption and intended for customs transit shall be subject
to payment of duties and taxes at the port of arrival.
SEC. 602.

Carriers Security. Carriers that transport imported goods

that shall be placed under customs transit from a port of arrival to other ports,

10

shall post a general transportation security, amounting to at least Fifty thousand

11

pesos (P50,000.00). Such security shall ensure the complete and immediate

12

delivery of goods to the customs officer at the port of destination and the

13

payment of pertinent customs charges and expenses and other transfer costs.

14

The amount of the security may be adjusted by the Commissioner, upon

15

approval of the Secretary of Finance.

16

CHAPTER 2

17

CUSTOMS TRANSSHIPMENT

18

SEC. 603. Entry for Transit to Another Port. Articles entered for

19

transit to other ports of the Philippines may be transported under sufficient

20

security, upon proper examination as may be necessary and consigned to the

21

collector at the port of destination, who will allow entry to be made at his port

22

Articles received at any port from another port of the Philippines on a

23

transit permit may be entered at the port of delivery either for consumption or

24

warehousing. Articles entered into free zones as defined in Title VIII, Chapter 3

25

of this Act shall be covered by a transit permit upon admission into free zones.

26

SEC. 604.

Customs

Transshipment.

Goods

admitted

for

27

transshipment shall not be subject to the payment of duties and taxes: Provided,

28

That the goods declaration for customs transshipment particularly indicates such

43

nature of the goods, duly supported by commercial or transport documents or

evidence as required by the Bureau.

Goods for transshipment must be exported from the Philippines within

thirty (30) days from arrival thereof. The Commissioner may allow an extension

of such period after the establishment of valid reasons.

SEC. 605. Goods Entered for Immediate Re-Exportation. Where an

intent of re-exportation of the goods is shown by the bill of lading, invoice,

manifest, or other satisfactory evidence, the whole or a part of a bill comprising

not less than one package may be entered for immediate re-exportation under

10

security. The District Officer shall designate the vessel or aircraft in which the

11

goods are loaded constructively as a warehouse to facilitate the direct transfer of

12

the goods to the exporting vessel or aircraft.

13

Unless it shall appear by the bill of lading, invoice, manifest, or other

14

satisfactory evidence, that goods arriving in the Philippines are destined for

15

transshipment, no exportation thereof will be permitted except under entry for

16

immediate re-exportation under sufficient security in an amount equal to the

17

ascertained duties, taxes and other charges.

18
19

Upon the re-exportation of the goods, and the production of proof of

landing beyond the limits of the Philippines, the security shall be released.

20

TITLE VII

21

IMPORT DUTY AND TAX

22

CHAPTER 1

23

BASIS OF VALUATION

24

SEC. 700.

Sequential Application of Valuation Methods. Imported

25

goods shall be valued in accordance with the provisions of Section 701

26

whenever the conditions prescribed therein are fulfilled.

27

Where the customs value cannot be determined under the provisions of

28

Section 701, it is to be determined by proceeding sequentially through the

29

succeeding Sections to the first such Section under which the customs value can
44

be determined. except as provided in Section 704, it is only when the customs

value cannot be determined under the provisions of a particular section that the

provisions of the next section in the sequence can be used.

If the importer does not request that the order of Sections 704 and 705 be

reversed, the normal order of the sequence is to be followed. If the importer so

request but it is impossible to determine the customs value under Section 705,

the customs value shall be determined under Section 704.

8
9

When the customs value cannot be determined under Sections 701

through 705, it may be determined under Section 706.

10

SEC. 701. Transaction Value SystemMethod One. The transaction

11

value shall be the price actually paid or payable for the goods when sold for

12

export to the Philippines adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this

13

Section: Provided, That:

14
15

(a) There are no restrictions as to the disposition or use of the goods by

the buyer other than restrictions which:

16

(i) are imposed or required by law or by Philippine authorities;

17

(ii) limit the geographical area in which the goods may be resold; or

18

(iii) do not substantially affect the value of the goods;

19

(b) The sale or price is not subject to some condition or consideration for

20

which a value cannot be determined with respect to the goods being valued;

21

(c) The buyer and the seller are not related, or where the buyer and seller

22

are related, that the transaction value is acceptable for customs purposes under

23

the provisions hereof.

24

For purposes of this Act, persons shall be deemed related only if:

25

(i) they are officers or directors of one anothers business;

26

(ii) they are legally recognized partners in business;

27

(iii) there exists an employer-employee relationship between them;

28

(iv) any person directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds five percent

29

(5%) or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both seller and buyer;
45

(v) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other;

(vi) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person;

(vii) together they directly or indirectly control a third person; or

(viii) they are members of the same family, including those related by

affinity or consanguinity up to the fourth civil degree.

Persons who are associated in business with one another in that one is

the sole agent, sole distributor or sole concessionaire, however described, of the

other shall be deemed to be related for the purposes of this Act if they fall within

any of the eight (8) cases cited in the preceding paragraph.

10

In a sale between related persons, the transaction value shall be accepted

11

as basis for customs valuation whenever the importer demonstrates that such

12

value closely approximates one of the following occurring at or about the same

13

time:

14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

(a) the transaction value in sales to unrelated buyers of identical or similar

goods for export to the same country of importation;
(b) the customs value of identical or similar goods as determined under
provisions of Section 704; or
(c) the customs value of identical or similar goods are determined under
the provisions of Section 705.
In determining the transaction value, the following shall be added to the
price actually paid or payable for the imported goods:
(1) To the extent that they are incurred by the buyer but are not included
in the price actually paid or payable for the imported goods:

24

(a) commissions and brokerage fees except buying commissions;

25

(b) cost of containers;

26

(c) cost of packing, whether for labor or materials;

27

(d) value, apportioned as appropriate, of the following goods and services:

28

materials, components, parts and similar items incorporated in the imported

29

goods; tools; dies; moulds and similar items used in the production of imported
46

goods; materials consumed in the production of the imported goods; and

engineering, development, artwork, design work and plans and sketches

undertaken elsewhere than in the Philippines and necessary for the production of

imported goods, where such goods and services are supplied directly or

indirectly by the buyer free of charge or at a reduced cost for use in connection

with the production and sale for export of the imported goods; and

(e) amount of royalties and license fees related to the goods being valued

that the buyer must pay either directly or indirectly, as a condition of sale of the

goods to the buyer.

10
11
12
13

(2) value of any part of the proceeds of any subsequent resale, disposal or
use of the imported goods that accrues directly or indirectly to the seller;
(3) cost of transport of the imported goods from the port of exportation to
the port of entry in the Philippines;

14

(4) loading, unloading and handling charges associated with the transport

15

of the imported goods from the country of exportation to the port of entry in the

16

Philippines; and

17

(5) cost of insurance.

18

All additions to the price actually paid or payable shall be made only on

19
20

the basis of objective and quantifiable data.

SEC. 702.

Transaction Value of Identical Goods Method Two.

21

Where the dutiable value cannot be determined under method one, the dutiable

22

value shall be the transaction value of identical goods sold for export to the

23

Philippines and exported at or about the same time as the goods being valued.

24

Identical goods mean goods which are the same in all respects, including

25

physical characteristics, quality and reputation. Minor differences in appearances

26

shall not preclude goods otherwise conforming to the definition from being

27

regarded as identical.

47

If, in applying this section, more than one transaction value of identical

goods are found, the lowest such value shall be used to determine the customs

value.
SEC. 703.

Transaction Value of Similar Goods Method Three.

Where the dutiable value cannot be determined under the preceding method, the

dutiable value shall be the transaction value of similar goods sold for export to

the Philippines and exported at or about the same time as the goods being

valued. Similar goods mean goods which, although not alike in all respects,

have like characteristics and similar component materials which enable them to

10

perform the same functions and to be commercially interchangeable. The quality

11

of the goods, its reputation and the existence of a trademark shall be among the

12

factors to be considered in determining whether goods are similar.

13

If, in applying this Section, more than one transaction value of identical

14

goods are found, the lowest such value shall be used to determine the customs

15

value.

16

SEC. 704.

Deductive Value Method Four. Where the dutiable

17

value cannot be determined under the preceding method, the dutiable value shall

18

be the deductive value unless otherwise requested by the importer as provided in

19

Section 700. The deductive value which shall be based on the unit price at which

20

the imported goods or identical or similar imported goods are sold in the

21

Philippines, in the same condition as when imported, in the greatest aggregate

22

quantity, at or about the time of the importation of the goods being valued, to

23

persons not related to the persons from whom they buy such goods, subject to

24

deductions for the following:

25

(1) either the commissions usually paid or agreed to be paid or the

26

additions usually made for profit and general expenses in connection with sales

27

in such country of imported goods of the same class or kind;

28
29

(2) the usual costs of transport and insurance and associated costs
incurred within the Philippines;
48

(3) where appropriate, the costs of: (i) transport of the imported goods

from the port of exportation to the port of entry in the Philippines; (ii) loading,

unloading and handling charges associated with the transport of the imported

goods from the country of exportation to the port of entry in the Philippines; and

(iii) insurance; and

6
7

(4) the customs duties and other national taxes payable in the Philippines
by reason of the importation or sale of the goods.

If neither the imported goods nor identical nor similar imported goods are

sold at or about the time of importation of the goods being valued in the

10

Philippines in the conditions they were imported, the customs value shall, subject

11

to the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph, be based on the unit price

12

at which the imported goods or identical or similar imported goods sold in the

13

Philippines in the condition they were imported and at the earliest date after the

14

importation of the goods being valued, but before the expiration of ninety (90)

15

days after such importation.

16

If neither the imported goods nor identical nor similar imported goods are

17

sold in the Philippines in the condition as imported, then, if the importer so

18

requests, the dutiable value shall be based on the unit price at which the

19

imported goods, after further processing, are sold in the greatest aggregate

20

quantity to persons in the Philippines who are not related to the persons from

21

whom they buy such goods, subject to allowance for the value added by such

22

processing and deductions provided under subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4)

23

hereof.

24

SEC. 705.

Computed Value Method Five. Where the dutiable

25

value cannot be determined under the preceding method, the dutiable value shall

26

be the computed value of the sum of:

27
28

(1) the cost or the value of materials and fabrication or other processing
employed in producing the imported goods;

49

(2) the amount for profit and general expenses equal to that usually

reflected in the sale of goods of the same class or kind as the goods being

valued which are made by producers in the country of exportation for export to

the Philippines;

5
6

(3) the freight, insurance fees and other transportation expenses for the
importation of the goods;

(4) any assist, if its value is not included under paragraph (1) hereof; and

(5) the cost of containers and packing, if their values are not included

under paragraph (1) hereof.

10

The Bureau shall not require or compel any person not residing in the

11

Philippines to produce for examination, or to allow access to, any account or

12

other record for the purpose of determining a computed value. However,

13

information supplied by the producer of the goods for the purposes of

14

determining the customs value may be verified in another country with the

15

agreement of the producer and provided said producer will give sufficient

16

advance notice to the government of the country in question and the latter does

17

not object to the investigation.

18

SEC. 706.

Fallback Value Method Six. If the dutiable value cannot

19

be determined under the preceding methods described above, it shall be

20

determined by using other reasonable means and on the basis of data available

21

in the Philippines. If the importer so requests, the importer shall be informed in

22

writing of the dutiable value determined under method six and the method used

23

to determine such value.

24

No dutiable value shall be determined under method six on the basis of:

25

(1) the selling price in the Philippines of goods produced in the

26
27
28
29

Philippines;
(2) a system that provides for the acceptance for customs purposes of the
higher of two alternative values;
(3) the price of goods in the domestic market of the country of exportation;
50

1
2

(4) the cost of production, other than computed values, that have been
determined for identical or similar goods in accordance with method five hereof;

(5) the price of goods for export to a country other than the Philippines;

(6) minimum customs values; or

(7) arbitrary or fictitious values.

SEC. 707. Ascertainment of the Accuracy of the Declared Value. -

Nothing in this section shall be construed as restricting or calling into question

the right of the Bureau to ascertain the truth or accuracy of any statement,

document or declaration presented for customs valuation purposes. When a

10

declaration has been presented and when the Bureau has reason to doubt the

11

truth or accuracy of the particulars or of documents produced in support of such

12

declaration, it may ask the importer to provide further explanation, including

13

documents or other evidence, that the declared value represents the total

14

amount actually paid or payable for the imported goods, adjusted in accordance

15

with the provisions of Section 701.

16

If, after receiving further information, or in the absence of a response, the

17

Bureau still has reasonable doubts about the truth or accuracy of the declared

18

value, it may deem that the customs value of the imported goods cannot be

19

determined under method one, without prejudice to an importers right to appeal

20

pursuant to Section 1101 of this Act. Before taking a final decision, the District

21

Officer shall communicate to the importer, in writing if requested, the grounds for

22

doubting the truth or accuracy of the particulars or documents produced and give

23

the importer a reasonable opportunity to respond. When a final decision is made,

24

the Bureau shall communicate its decision and the grounds therefor in writing.

25

SEC. 708. Exchange Rate. For the assessment and collection of import

26

duty upon imported goods and for other purposes, the value and prices thereof

27

quoted in foreign currency shall be converted into the currency of the Philippines

28

at the current rate of exchange or value specified or published, from time to time,

29

by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

51

CHAPTER 2

SPECIAL DUTIES AND TRADE REMEDY MEASURES

SEC. 709.

Marking of

Imported

Goods

and Containers.

(A) Marking of Goods. Except as hereinafter provided, all goods of foreign

origin imported into the Philippines or their containers, as provided in subsection

(b) hereof shall be conspicuously marked in any official language of the

Philippines as legibly, indelibly and permanently as the nature of the goods or

container will permit and in such manner as to indicate to an ultimate purchaser

in the Philippines the name of the country of origin of the goods. Pursuant

10

thereto, the Commissioner shall, with the approval of the Secretary of Finance:

11

(1) determine the character of words and phrases or abbreviation thereof

12

which shall be acceptable as indicating the country of origin and prescribe any

13

reasonable method of marking, whether by printing, stenciling, stamping,

14

branding, labeling or by any other reasonable method, and in a conspicuous

15

place on the goods or container where the marking shall appear;

16

(2) require the addition of other words or symbols which may be

17

appropriate to prevent deception or mistake as to the origin of the goods or as to

18

the origin of any other goods with which such imported goods is usually

19

combined subsequent to importation but before delivery to an ultimate purchaser;

20

and
(3) authorize the exception of any goods from the requirements of marking

21
22

if:

23

(i)

such goods are incapable of being marked;

24

(ii)

such goods cannot be marked prior to shipment to the Philippines

25
26
27
28
29

without injury;
(iii) such goods cannot be marked prior to shipment to the Philippines,
except at an expense economically prohibitive of their importation;
(iv) the marking of a container of such goods will reasonably indicate the
origin of such goods;
52

(v)

such goods are crude substances;

(vi) such goods are imported for use by the importer and not intended for
sale in their imported or any other form;

3
4

(vii) such goods are to be processed in the Philippines by the importer or

for the importers account other than for the purpose of concealing

the origin of such goods and in such manner that any mark

contemplated by this section would necessarily be obliterated,

destroyed, or permanently concealed;

(viii) an ultimate purchaser, by reason of the character of such goods or

10

by reason of the circumstances of their importation, must necessarily

11

know the country of origin of such goods even though they are not

12

marked to indicate their origin;

13

(ix) such goods were produced more than twenty (20) years prior to their
importation into the Philippines; or

14
15

(x)

such goods cannot be marked after importation except at an expense

16

which is economically prohibitive, and the failure to mark the goods

17

before importation was not due to any purpose of the importer,

18

producer, seller or shipper to avoid compliance with this section.

19

(b) Marking of Containers. Whenever goods are exempt under

20

paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of this Section from the requirements of marking,

21

the immediate container, if any, of such goods, or such other container or

22

containers of such goods, shall be marked in such manner as to indicate to an

23

ultimate purchaser in the Philippines the name of the country of origin of such

24

goods in any official language of the Philippines, subject to all provisions of this

25

Section, including the same exceptions as are applicable to goods under

26

paragraph (3) of subsection (a).

27

(c) Fine for Failure to Mark. If at the time of importation any good or its

28

container, as provided in subsection (b) hereof, is not marked in accordance with

29

the requirements of this Section, there shall be levied, collected, and paid upon
53

such good a marking duty of five percent (5%) of dutiable value, which shall be

deemed to have accrued at the time of importation.

(d) Release Withheld Until Marked. No imported goods held in customs

custody for inspection, examination, or assessment shall be released until such

goods or their containers shall have been marked in accordance with the

requirements of this Section and until the amount of duty estimated to be payable

under subsection (c) of this Section shall have been deposited.

(e) The failure or refusal of the owner or importer to mark the goods as

herein required within a period of thirty (30) days after due notice shall constitute

10

as an act of abandonment of said goods and their disposition shall be governed

11

by the provisions of this Act relative to abandonment of imported goods.

Dumping Duty.

12

SEC. 710.

13

The provisions of Republic Act No. 8752, otherwise known as the Anti-

14

Dumping Act of 1999", including its rules and regulations are hereby adopted.
Safeguard Duty.

15

SEC. 711.

16

The provisions of Republic Act No. 8800 otherwise known as the

17

Safeguard Measures Act", including its rules and regulations are hereby

18

adopted.

19

SEC. 712. Countervailing Duty.

20

The provisions of Republic Act No. 8751, otherwise known as An Act

21

Strengthening the Mechanisms for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties on

22

Imported Subsidized Products, Commodities or Articles of Commerce in Order to

23

Protect Domestic Industries from Unfair Trade Competition, Amending for the

24

Purpose Section 302, Part 2, Title II, Book I of Presidential Decree No. 1464,

25

otherwise known as the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as

26

Amended, including its rules and regulations are hereby adopted.

27
28

SEC. 713.

Discrimination by Foreign Countries. Without prejudice

to the Philippine commitment in any ratified international agreements or treaty,

54

the following recourse shall be applicable in case of discrimination by foreign

countries:

a) When the President finds that the public interest will be served thereby,

the President shall, by proclamation, specify and declare new or additional duties

in an amount not exceeding one hundred percent (100%) ad valorem upon

goods wholly or in part the growth or product of, or imported in a vessel of any

foreign country whenever the President shall find as a fact that such country:

(1) imposes, directly or indirectly, upon the disposition or transportation in

transit or through re-exportation from such country of any goods wholly or in part

10

the growth or product of the Philippines, any unreasonable charge, exaction,

11

regulation or limitation which is not equally enforced upon the like goods of every

12

foreign country; or

13

(2) discriminates in fact against the commerce of the Philippines, directly

14

or indirectly, by law or administrative regulation or practice, by or in respect to

15

any customs, tonnage, or port duty, fee, charge, exaction, classification,

16

regulation, condition, restriction or prohibition, in such manner as to place the

17

commerce of the Philippines at a disadvantage compared with the commerce of

18

any foreign country.

19

(b) If at any time the President shall find it to be a fact that any foreign

20

country has not only discriminated against the commerce of the Philippines, as

21

aforesaid, but has, after the issuance of a proclamation as authorized in

22

subsection (a) of this section, maintained or increased its said discrimination

23

against the commerce of the Philippines, the President is hereby authorized, if

24

deemed consistent with the interests of the Philippines and of public interest, to

25

issue a further proclamation directing that such product of said country or such

26

goods imported in their vessels be excluded from importation into the Philippines.

27

(c) Any proclamation issued by the President under this section shall, if

28

the President deems it consistent with the interest of the Philippines, extend to

29

the whole of any foreign country or may be confined to any subdivision or

55

subdivisions thereof: Provided, That, the President may, whenever the public

interests require, suspend, revoke, supplement or amend any such proclamation.

(d) All goods imported contrary to the provisions of this section shall be

forfeited to the government of the Philippines and shall be liable to be seized,

prosecuted and condemned in like manner and under the same regulations,

restrictions, and provisions as may from time to time be established for the

recovery, collection, distribution, and remission or forfeiture to the government by

the tariff and customs laws. Whenever the provision of this section shall be

applicable to importations into the Philippines of goods wholly or in part the

10

growth or product of any foreign country, it shall be applicable thereto, whether

11

such goods are imported directly or indirectly.

12

(e) It shall be the duty of the Commission to ascertain and at all times be

13

informed whether any of the discriminations against the commerce of the

14

Philippines enumerated in subsections (a) and (b) of this section are practiced by

15

any country; and if and when such discriminatory acts are disclosed, it shall be

16

the duty of the Commission to bring the matter to the attention of the President,

17

and to recommend measures to address such discriminatory acts.

18

(f) The Secretary of Finance shall make such rules and regulations as are

19

necessary for the execution of a proclamation that the President may issue in

20

accordance with the provisions of this section.

21

TITLE VIII

22

TAX AND DUTY DEFERMENT, PREFERENCE AND EXEMPTION

23

CHAPTER 1

24

CONDITIONALLY-FREE AND DUTY-EXEMPT IMPORTATION

25

SEC. 800.

Conditionally-Free and Duty-Exempt Importation. The

26

following goods shall be exempt from the payment of import duties upon

27

compliance with the formalities prescribed in the regulations which shall be

28

promulgated by the Commissioner with the approval of the Secretary of Finance:

29

Provided, That goods sold, bartered, hired or used for purposes other than what
56

they were intended for and without prior payment of the duty, tax or other

charges which would have been due and payable at the time of entry if the goods

had been entered without the benefit of this section, shall be subject to forfeiture

and the importation shall constitute a fraudulent practice against customs laws:

Provided, however, That a sale pursuant to a judicial order or in liquidation of the

estate of a deceased person shall not be subject to the preceding proviso,

without prejudice to the payment of duties, taxes and other charges: Provided,

further, That the President may upon the recommendation of the Secretary of

Finance, suspend, disallow or completely withdraw, in whole or in part, any

10

conditionally free importation under this section:

11

(a) Aquatic products such as fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, marine

12

animals, seaweeds, fish oil, roe, caught or gathered by fishing vessels of

13

Philippine registry: Provided, That they are imported in such vessels or in crafts

14

attached thereto: Provided, however, That they have not been landed in any

15

foreign territory or, if so landed, that they have been landed solely for

16

transshipment without having been advanced in condition;

17

(b) Equipment for use in the salvage of vessels or aircrafts, not available

18

locally, upon identification and the giving of a security in an amount equal to one

19

hundred percent (100%) the ascertained duties, taxes and other charges

20

thereon, conditioned for the exportation thereof or payment of corresponding

21

duties, taxes and other charges within six (6) months from the date of

22

acceptance of the goods declaration: Provided, That the District Officer may

23

extend the time for exportation or payment of duties, taxes and other charges for

24

a term not exceeding six (6) months from the expiration of the original period;

25

(c) Cost of repairs, excluding the value of the goods used, made in foreign

26

countries upon vessels or aircraft documented, registered or licensed in the

27

Philippines, upon proof satisfactory to the District Officer: (1) that adequate

28

facilities for such repairs are not afforded in the Philippines; or (2) that such

29

vessels or aircrafts, while in the regular course of their voyage or flight, were
57

compelled by stress of weather or other casualty to put into a foreign port to

make such repairs in order to secure the safety, seaworthiness, or airworthiness

of the vessels or aircrafts to enable them to reach their port of destination;

(d) Goods brought into the Philippines for repair, processing or

reconditioning to be re-exported upon completion of the repair, processing or

reconditioning: Provided, That the District Officer shall require security equal to

one hundred percent (100%) of the duties, taxes, and other charges thereon,

conditioned for the exportation thereof or payment of the corresponding duties,

taxes, and other charges within six (6) months from the date of acceptance of the

10
11
12

goods declaration;
(e) Medals, badges, cups, and other small goods bestowed as trophies or
prizes, or those received or accepted as honorary distinction;

13

(f) Personal and household effects belonging to residents of the

14

Philippines returning from abroad including used household appliances, jewelry,

15

precious stones, and other goods of luxury which were formally declared and

16

listed before departure and identified under oath before the District Officer when

17

exported from the Philippines by such returning residents upon their departure

18

therefrom or during their stay abroad; personal and household effects including

19

wearing apparel, goods of personal adornment except luxury items, toilet goods,

20

instruments related to ones profession and analogous personal or household

21

effects, excluding vehicles, watercrafts, aircrafts and animals purchased in

22

foreign countries by residents of the Philippines which were necessary,

23

appropriate, and normally used for their comfort and convenience during their

24

stay abroad, accompanying them on their return, or arriving within a reasonable

25

time which, barring unforeseen and fortuitous events, in no case shall exceed

26

sixty (60) days after the owners return: Provided, That the personal and

27

household effects shall neither be in commercial quantities nor intended for

28

barter, sale or for hire and that the total dutiable value of which shall not exceed

29

Three hundred fifty thousand pesos (P350,000.00): Provided, however, That the
58

returning resident has not previously availed of the privilege under this section

within three hundred sixty-five (365) days prior to returning residents arrival:

Provided, further, That any amount in excess of Three hundred fifty thousand

pesos (P350,000.00) shall be subject to the corresponding duties and taxes

under this Act. For purposes of this Section, the phrase returning residents

refers to Filipino nationals who have stayed in a foreign country for a period of at

least ten (10) years: Provided, however, That for returning residents who have

stayed in a foreign country for a period of at least five (5) years, the personal and

household effects shall not exceed Two hundred fifty thousand pesos

10

(P250,000.00) and has not availed of the privilege under this Section within three

11

hundred sixty-five (365) days: Provided, finally, That the Secretary of Finance,

12

upon the recommendation of the Commissioner shall review and adjust the value

13

as provided herein every three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act and shall

14

be adjusted to its present value using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as

15

published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Any amount in excess of

16

the allowable non-dutiable value shall be subject to the corresponding duties and

17

taxes under this Act;

18

In addition to the privileges granted under the immediately preceding

19

paragraph, returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) shall have the privilege

20

to bring in, tax and duty free, home appliances and other durables, limited to one

21

of every kind once in a given calendar year accompanying them on their return,

22

or arriving within a reasonable time which, barring unforeseen and fortuitous

23

events, in no case shall exceed sixty (60) days after every returning OFWs

24

return upon presentation of their original passport at the port of entry: Provided,

25

That any amount in excess of One Hundred thousand fifty pesos (P150,000.00)

26

for personal and household effects or of the number of duty-free appliances as

27

provided for under this section, shall be subject to the corresponding duties

28

provided under this Act: Provided, further, That every three (3) years after the

29

effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the

59

Commissioner shall review the amount hereinstated and shall be adjusted to its

present value using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);

(f-1) Residents of the Philippines, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) or

other Filipinos while residing abroad or in their return to the Philippines shall be

allowed to bring in or send to their families or relatives in the Philippines

balikbayan boxes which shall be exempt from duties and taxes imposed under

the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) and the National Internal

Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended: Provided, That balikbayan boxes

10

shall contain personal and household effects only and shall neither be in

11

commercial quantities nor intended for barter, sale or for hire and that the total

12

dutiable value of which shall not exceed One hundred fifty thousand pesos

13

(P150,000.00): Provided, further, every three (3) years after the effectivity of this

14

Act, the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner, shall

15

review the value herein stated and shall adjust its present value using the

16

Consumer Price Index, as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA):

17

Provided, finally, That residents of the Philippines or OFWs can only avail this

18

privilege up to three (3) times in a calendar year. Any amount in excess of the

19

allowable non-dutiable value shall be subject to the corresponding duties and

20

taxes under this Act;

21

(1) Overseas Filipino Workers refers to holders of valid passports duly

22

issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and certified by the

23

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or the Philippine Overseas

24

Employment Agency (POEA) for overseas employment purposes. They cover all

25

nationals working in a foreign country under employment contracts including

26

Middle East contract workers, entertainers, domestic helpers, regardless of their

27

employment status in the foreign country; and

28

(2) Calendar Year refers to the period from January 1 to December 31;

60

(g) Wearing apparel, goods of personal adornment, toilet goods, portable

tools and

instrument, theatrical costumes and similar effects accompanying

travelers, or tourists, or arriving within a reasonable time before or after their

arrival in the Philippines, which are necessary and appropriate for the wear and

use of such persons according to the nature of the journey, their comfort and

convenience: Provided, That this exemption shall not apply to goods intended for

other persons or for barter, sale or hire: Provided, however, That the District

Officer may require either a written commitment or a security in an amount equal

to one hundred percent (100%) the ascertained duties, taxes and other charges

10

conditioned for the exportation thereof or payment of the corresponding duties,

11

taxes and other charges within three (3) months from the date of acceptance of

12

the goods declaration: Provided, further, That the District Officer may extend the

13

time for exportation or payment of duties, taxes and other charges for a term not

14

exceeding three (3) months from the expiration of the original period.

15

Personal and household effects and vehicles belonging to foreign

16

consultants and experts hired by, or rendering service to, the government, and

17

their staff or personnel and families accompanying them or arriving within a

18

reasonable time before or after their arrival in the Philippines, in quantities and of

19

the kind necessary and suitable to the profession, rank or position of the person

20

importing them, for their own use and not for barter, sale or hire: Provided, That

21

the District Officer may require either a written commitment or a security in an

22

amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) the ascertained duties, taxes and

23

other charges upon the goods classified under this subsection; conditioned for

24

the exportation thereof or payment of the corresponding duties, taxes and other

25

charges within three (3) months after the expiration of their term or contract:

26

Provided, however, That the District Officer may extend the time for exportation

27

or payment of duties, taxes and other charges for a term not exceeding three (3)

28

months from the expiration of the original period;

61

(h) Professional instruments and implements, tools of trade, occupation or

employment, wearing apparel, domestic animals, and personal and household

effects belonging to persons coming to settle in the Philippines or Filipinos or

their families and descendants who are now residents or citizens of other

countries, such parties hereinafter referred to as overseas Filipinos, in quantities

and of the class suitable to the profession, rank or position of the persons

importing them, for their own use and not for barter or sale, accompanying such

persons, or arriving within a reasonable time. The District Officer may, upon the

production of satisfactory evidence that such persons are actually coming to

10

settle in the Philippines and that the goods are brought from their former place of

11

abode, exempt such goods from the payment of customs duties and taxes:

12

Provided, That vehicles, vessels, aircrafts, machineries and other similar goods

13

for use in manufacture, shall not fall within this classification and shall therefore

14

be subject to customs duties, taxes and other charges;

15

(i) Goods used exclusively for public entertainment, and for display in

16

public expositions, or for exhibition or competition for prizes, and devices for

17

projecting pictures and parts and appurtenances thereof, upon identification,

18

examination, and appraisal and the giving of a security in an amount equal to

19

one hundred percent (100%) of the ascertained duties, taxes and other charges

20

thereon, conditioned for exportation thereof or payment of the corresponding

21

duties, taxes and other charges within three (3) months from the date of

22

acceptance of the goods declaration: Provided, That the District Officer may

23

extend the time for exportation or payment of duties, taxes and other charges for

24

a term not exceeding three (3) months from the expiration of the original period;

25

and technical and scientific films when imported by technical, cultural and

26

scientific institutions, and not to be exhibited for profit: Provided, further, That if

27

any of the films is exhibited for profit, the proceeds therefrom shall be subject to

28

confiscation, in addition to the penalty provided under this Act;

62

(j) Goods brought by foreign film producers directly and exclusively used

for making or recording motion picture films on location in the Philippines, upon

their identification, examination and appraisal and the giving of a security in an

amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the ascertained duties, taxes,

and other charges thereon, conditioned for exportation thereof or payment of the

corresponding duties, taxes, and other charges within three (3) months from the

date of acceptance of the goods declaration, unless extended by the District

Officer for another three (3) months; photographic and cinematographic films,

underdeveloped, exposed outside the Philippines by resident Filipino citizens or

10

by producing companies of Philippine registry where the principal actors and

11

artists employed for the production are Filipinos, upon affidavit by the importer

12

and identification that such exposed films are the same films previously exported

13

from the Philippines. As used in this paragraph, the terms actors and artists

14

include the persons operating the photographic camera or other photographic

15

and sound recording apparatus by which the film is made;

16

(k) Importations for the official use of foreign embassies, legations and

17

other agencies of foreign governments: Provided, That those foreign countries

18

accord like privileges to corresponding agencies of the Philippines. Goods

19

imported for the personal or family use of the members and attaches of foreign

20

embassies, legations, consular officers and other representatives of foreign

21

governments: Provided, however, That such privilege shall be accorded under

22

special agreements between the Philippines and the countries which they

23

represent: Provided, further, That the privilege may be granted only upon specific

24

instructions of the Secretary of Finance pursuant to an official request of the DFA

25

on behalf of members or attaches of foreign embassies, legations, or consular

26

officers and other representatives of foreign governments.

27
28

(l)

Imported goods donated to or, for the account of the Philippine

government or any duly registered relief organization, not operated for profit, for

63

free distribution among the needy, upon certification by the DSWD or the

Department of Education (DepED), as the case may be;

(m)

Containers, holders and other similar receptacles of any material

including kraft paper bags for locally manufactured cement for export, including

corrugated boxes for bananas, mangoes, pineapples and other fresh fruits for

export, except other containers made of paper, paperboard and textile fabrics,

which are of such character as to be readily identifiable and/or reusable for

shipment or transportation of goods shall be delivered to the importer thereof

upon identification, examination and appraisal and the giving of a security in an

10

amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the ascertained duties, taxes

11

and other charges within six (6) months from the date of acceptance of the goods

12

declaration;

13

(n) Supplies which are necessary for the reasonable requirements of the

14

vessel or aircraft in its voyage or flight outside the Philippines, including goods

15

transferred from a bonded warehouse in any Customs District to any vessel or

16

aircraft engaged in foreign trade, for use or consumption of the passengers or its

17

crew on board such vessel or aircraft as sea or air stores; or goods purchased

18

abroad for sale on board a vessel or aircraft as saloon stores or air store

19

supplies: Provided, That any surplus or excess of such vessel or aircraft supplies

20

arriving from foreign ports or airports shall be dutiable;

21

(o) Goods and salvage from vessels recovered after a period of two (2)

22

years from the date of filing the marine protest or the time when the vessel was

23

wrecked or abandoned, or parts of a foreign vessel or its equipment, wrecked or

24

abandoned in Philippine waters or elsewhere: Provided, That goods and salvage

25

recovered within the said period of two (2) years shall be dutiable;

26

(p)

Coffins or urns containing human remains, bones or ashes, used

27

personal and household effects (not merchandise) of the deceased person,

28

except vehicles, the dutiable value of which does not exceed One hundred

29

thousand pesos (P100,000.00), upon identification as such:

64

Provided, That

every three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, the value herein stated shall

be adjusted to its present value using the CPI, as published by the PSA;

(q)

Samples of the kind, in such quantity and of such dimension or

construction as to render them unsaleable or of no commercial value; models not

adapted for practical use; and samples of medicines, properly marked sample-

sale punishable by law, for the purpose of introducing new goods in the

Philippine market and imported only once in a quantity sufficient for such

purpose by a person duly registered and identified to be engaged in that trade:

Provided, That importations under this subsection shall be previously authorized

10

by the Secretary of Finance: Provided, however, That importation of sample

11

medicines shall have been previously authorized by the Secretary of Health, and

12

that such samples are new medicines not available in the Philippines: Provided,

13

further, That samples not previously authorized or properly marked in

14

accordance with this section shall be levied the corresponding tariff duty.

15

Commercial samples, except those that are not readily and easily

16

identifiable as in the case of precious and semi-precious stones, cut or uncut,

17

and jewelry set with precious or semi-precious stones, the value of any single

18

importation of which does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) upon

19

the giving of a security in an amount equal to the ascertained duties, taxes and

20

other charges thereon, conditioned for the exportation of said samples within

21

three (3) months from the date of the acceptance of the goods declaration or in

22

default thereof, the payment of the corresponding duties, taxes and other

23

charges: Provided, That If the value of any single consignment of such

24

commercial samples exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), the importer

25

thereof may select any portion of same not exceeding in value of Fifty thousand

26

pesos (P50,000.00) for entry under the provision of this subsection, and the

27

excess of the consignment may be entered in bond, or for consumption, as the

28

importer may elect;

65

(r) Animals, except race horses, and plants for scientific, experimental

propagation or breeding,

and for other botanical, zoological and national

defense purposes: Provided, That no live trees, shoots, plants, moss and bulbs,

tubers and seeds for propagation purposes may be imported under this section,

except by order of the government or other duly authorized institutions: Provided,

however, That the free entry of animals for breeding purposes shall be restricted

to animals of recognized breed, duly registered in the record or registry

established for that breed, and certified as such by the Bureau of Animal Industry

(BAI): Provided, further, That the certification of such record, and pedigree of

10

such animal duly authenticated by the proper custodian of such record or

11

registry, shall be submitted to the District Officer, together with the affidavit of the

12

owner or importer that such animal is the animal described in said certificate of

13

record and pedigree: Provided, finally, That the animals and plants are certified

14

by the NEDA as necessary for economic development;

15

(s) Economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical and

16

cultural books or publications, and religious books like bibles, missals, prayer

17

books, the Koran, Ahadith and other religious books of similar nature and

18

extracts therefrom, hymnal and hymns for religious uses: Provided, That those

19

which may have already been imported but are yet to be released by the Bureau

20

at the effectivity of this Act may still enjoy the privilege herein provided upon

21

certification by the DepED that such imported books and/or publications are for

22

economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural

23

purposes or that the same are educational, scientific or cultural materials

24

covered by the International Agreement on Importation of Educational Scientific

25

and Cultural Materials (IAESCM) signed by the President of the Philippines on

26

August 2, 1952, or other agreements binding upon the Philippines. Educational,

27

scientific and cultural materials covered by international agreements or

28

commitments binding upon the Philippine government so certified by the DepED.

66

(t) Philippine goods previously exported from the Philippines and returned

without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process

of manufacturing or other means, and upon which no drawback or bounty has

been allowed, including instruments and implements, tools of trade, machinery

and equipment, used abroad by Filipino citizens in the pursuit of their business,

occupation or profession; and foreign goods previously imported when returned

after having been exported and loaned for use temporarily abroad solely for

exhibition, testing and experimentation, for scientific or educational purposes;

and foreign containers previously imported which have been used in packing

10

exported Philippine goods and returned empty if imported by or for the account of

11

the person or institution who exported them from the Philippines and not for sale,

12

barter or hire subject to identification: Provided, That Philippine goods falling

13

under this subsection upon which drawback or bounty have been allowed shall,

14

upon re-importation thereof, be subject to a duty under this subsection equal to

15

the amount of such drawback or bounty;

16

(u)

Aircraft, equipment and machinery, spare parts commissary and

17

catering supplies, aviation gas, fuel and oil, whether crude or refined except

18

when directly or indirectly used for domestic operations, and such other goods or

19

supplies imported by and for the use of scheduled airlines operating under

20

congressional franchise: Provided, That such goods or supplies are not locally

21

available in reasonable quantity, quality and price and are necessary or

22

incidental to the proper operation of the scheduled airline importing the same;

23

(v) Machineries, equipment, tools for production, plans to convert mineral

24

ores into saleable form, spare parts, supplies, materials, accessories, explosives,

25

chemicals, and transportation and communications facilities imported by and for

26

the use of new mines and old mines which resume operations, when certified to

27

as such by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural

28

Resources, upon the recommendation of the Director of Mines and Geosciences

29

Bureau, for a period ending five (5) years from the first date of actual commercial
67

production of saleable mineral products: Provided, That such goods are not

locally available in reasonable quantity, quality and price and are necessary or

incidental in the proper operation of the mine; and aircrafts imported by agro-

industrial companies to be used by them in their agriculture and industrial

operations or activities, spare parts and accessories thereof, when certified to as

such by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) or the Secretary of

the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as the case may be;

(w) Spare parts of vessels or aircraft of foreign registry engaged in foreign

trade when brought into the Philippines exclusively as replacements or for the

10

emergency repair thereof, upon proof satisfactory to the District Officer that such

11

spare parts shall be utilized to secure the safety, seaworthiness or airworthiness

12

of the vessel or aircraft, to enable it to continue its voyage or flight;

13

(x)

Goods exported from the Philippines for repair, processing or

14

reconditioning without having been advanced in value, and subsequently

15

reimported in its original form and in the same state: Provided, That in case the

16

reimported goods advanced in value, whether or not in their original state, the

17

value added shall be subject to the applicable duty rate of the tariff heading of

18

the reimported goods; and

19

(y)

Trailer chassis when imported by shipping companies for their

20

exclusive use in handling containerized cargo, upon posting a security in an

21

amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) the ascertained duties, taxes and

22

other charges due thereon to cover a period of one (1) year from the date of

23

acceptance of the entry, which period, for meritorious reasons, may be extended

24

by the Commissioner from year to year, subject to the following conditions:

25
26
27
28
29

(1) That they shall be properly identified and registered with the Land
Transportation Office (LTO);
(2) That they shall be subject to customs supervision fee to be fixed by the
District Officer and subject to the approval of the Commissioner;
(3) That they shall be deposited in the customs zone when not in use; and
68

1
2

(4) That upon the expiration of the period prescribed above, duties and
taxes shall be paid unless otherwise re-exported.

(z) Any officer or employee of the DFA, including any attach, civil or

military or member of the staff assigned to a Philippine diplomatic mission abroad

by the Department or any similar officer or employee of other departments

assigned to any Philippine consular office abroad, or any AFP military personnel

accorded assimilated diplomatic rank or on duty abroad who is returning from a

regular assignment abroad, for reassignment to the home office, or who dies,

resigns, or is retired from the service, after the approval of this Act, shall be

10

exempt from the payment of all duties and taxes on personal and household

11

effects, including one (1) motor car which must have been ordered or purchased

12

prior to the receipt by the mission or consulate of the order of recall, and which

13

must be registered in the name of the officer or employee: Provided, That this

14

exemption shall apply only to the value of the motor car and to the aggregate

15

assessed value of the personal and household effects, the latter not to exceed

16

thirty percent (30%) of the total amount received by the officer or employee in

17

salary and allowances during the latest assignment abroad, but not to exceed

18

four (4) years: Provided, however, That this exemption shall not be availed of

19

more than once every four (4) years: Provided, further, That the officer or

20

employee concerned must have served abroad for not less than two (2) years.

21

The

provisions

of

general

and

special

laws,

to

the

contrary

22

notwithstanding,

23

exemption whatsoever from the payment of customs duties except as provided

24

for in this Act; those granted to government agencies, instrumentalities or

25

government-owned

26

commitments, agreements, or obligations with foreign countries requiring such

27

exemption;

28

organizations entitled to exemption pursuant to agreements or special laws; and

those

including those granting franchises, there shall be no

or

-controlled

granted

to

corporations

international

69

with

existing

institutions,

contracts,

associations

or

those that may be granted by the President upon prior recommendation of the

NEDA in the interest of national economic development.

Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, the Secretary of Finance

may adjust the amount subject to exemption from duties provided in paragraphs

(f), (p), and (q) of this Section.

CHAPTER 2

CUSTOMS WAREHOUSES

8
9

SEC. 801.

Establishment and Supervision of Customs Bonded

Warehouses.

When the business of the port requires such facilities, the

10

District Officer subject to the approval of the Commissioner shall designate and

11

establish warehouses for use as public and private bonded warehouses, yards,

12

or for other special purposes. All such warehouses and premises shall be subject

13

to the supervision of the District Officer, who shall impose such conditions as

14

may be deemed necessary for the protection of the revenue and of the goods

15

stored therein.

16

SEC. 802.

Types of Customs Bonded Warehouses (CBWs).

17

Customs bonded warehouses maybe classified as either manufacturing or non-

18

manufacturing.

19

Manufacturing customs bonded warehouse maybe of the following types:

20

a) miscellaneous customs bonded warehouse; or b) customs common bonded

21

warehouse.

22

Non-manufacturing customs bonded warehouse include: a) public bonded

23

warehouse;

24

warehouse; or, d) other customs facilities.

25
26

b)

private

bonded

warehouse;

c) industry-specific bonded

SEC. 803. Types of Customs Facilities and Warehouses (CFWS).

customs facilities and warehouses shall include:

27

(a) container yard;

28

(b) container freight station;

29

(c) seaport warehouses; and

70

(d) airport warehouses.

Subject to consultation with the NEDA and the DTI, and based on

prevailing economic circumstances, the Secretary of Finance may, upon the

recommendation of the Commissioner, create or dissolve certain types of

warehouses.

SEC. 804.

Application for Operation of a Customs Warehouse.

Application for the establishment of CBW and CFW shall be filed with the District

Officer where the CBW or CFW is located, describing the premises, location,

capacity and purpose thereof.

10

Upon receipt of such application, the District Officer shall examine the

11

premises of such proposed warehouse, particularly its location, construction and

12

storage facilities. The District Officer with the approval of the Commissioner may

13

authorize the establishment of customs warehouses, and accept the required

14

security for its operation and maintenance. The operator of such CBW and CFW

15

shall pay an annual supervision fee, as determined by the Commissioner.

16

SEC. 805.

Responsibility of Operators. The operator of a CBW or

17

CFW shall comply with the customs requirements on establishment, security,

18

suitability and management, including stock-keeping and accounting of the

19

goods, of the CBW or CFW.

20

The operator of a CBW or CFW shall allow authorized representatives of

21

the Bureau access to the premises at any time, and to all documents, books and

22

records of accounts pertaining to the operations of the CBW or CFW.

23

In case of loss of the goods stored in a CBW or CFW, the operator shall

24

be liable for the payment of duties and taxes due thereof. The government

25

assumes no legal responsibility over the safekeeping of goods stored in any

26

customs warehouse, yard or premises.

27

SEC. 806. Customs Control Over CBWs and CFWs. The Bureau

28

shall, for customs purposes, exercise control over, direct and manage CBWs and

71

CFWs pursuant to Section 302 and likewise over the goods thereat pursuant to

Section 301 of this Act.

SEC. 807.

Discontinuance of CBW and CFW. The use of any CBW

and CFW may be discontinued by the District Officer when conditions so warrant,

or upon receipt of a written request from the operator thereof: Provided, That all

the requirements of the law and regulations have been complied with by said

operator. Where dutiable goods are stored in such premises, the same must be

removed at the risk and expense of the operator: Provided, however, That the

premises shall not be relinquished, and its use shall not be discontinued until

10

after a careful examination of the account of the warehouse shall have been

11

made. Discontinuance of the use of any warehouse shall be effective upon

12

approval thereof by the District Officer who shall, within ten (10) days, inform the

13

Commissioner of such action in writing.

14

Notice of discontinuance made by the operator shall not result in the

15

discharge from any duties, taxes, fees and other charges imposed on dutiable

16

goods in said warehouse.

17

SEC. 808.

Warehousing Security on Goods Stored in CBWs. For

18

goods declared in the entry for warehousing in CBWS, the District Officer shall

19

require the importer to post a sufficient security equivalent to the computed

20

duties, taxes and other charges, conditioned upon the withdrawal of the goods

21

within the period prescribed by Section 811of this Act or the payment of duties,

22

taxes and other charges and compliance with all importation requirements.

23

SEC. 809. Withdrawal of Goods from CBWs. - Imported goods shall be

24

withdrawn from the CBWs when the necessary withdrawal permit has been filed,

25

together with any related document required by any provision of this Act and

26

other regulations.

27

Goods entered under sufficient security as provided in Section 1507 may

28

be withdrawn at any time for consumption, for transit, or for exportation. The

72

withdrawal must be made by the CBW operator or its duly authorized

representative.

SEC. 810. Release of Goods from CFWs. imported goods shall be

released when the goods declaration is electronically lodged, together with any

related document required by any provision of this Act and other regulations. All

goods entered into the CFWs shall be subject to the filing of a goods declaration

within the period specified under Section 407 of this Act.

SEC. 811.

Period of Storage in CBWs.

Goods entered for

warehousing may remain in a CBW for a maximum period of one (1) year from

10

the time of its arrival thereat. For perishable goods, the storage period shall be

11

three (3) months from the date of arrival, extendible for valid reasons, and upon

12

written request, to another three (3) months. Goods not withdrawn at the

13

expiration of the prescribed period shall be deemed as property of the

14

government and shall be disposed of in accordance with this Act.

15

The Commissioner shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Trade and

16

Industry, establish a reasonable storage period limit beyond one (1) year for

17

bonded goods for manufacturing and intended for export, the processing into

18

finished products of which requires a longer period based on industry standard

19

and practice, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance.

20

SEC. 812.

Exemption from Duty of Goods in CBWs. Goods duly

21

entered for warehousing in CBWs shall be exempt from duty and tax within the

22

allowed period for storage unless withdrawn for consumption, exportation or

23

transit to a Freeport/PEZA-registered enterprise or another CBW, in which case,

24

such withdrawal will be subject to the applicable rules and regulations on the

25

liquidation of the warehousing entry.

26

SEC. 813.

Records To Be Kept By CBW Operators. An account

27

shall be kept by the Bureau of all goods delivered to a CBW, and a report shall

28

be made by the CBW operator containing a detailed statement of all imported

73

goods entered and withdrawn from the CBW. The Bureau shall specify the

format of the report and may require electronic submission.

All documents, books, and records of accounts concerning the operation

of any CBW shall, upon demand, be made available to the District Officer or the

representative of the District Officer for examination or audit. For record

purposes, all documents shall be kept for three (3) years.

CHAPTER 3

FREE ZONES

SEC. 814. When Goods Are Admitted And Withdrawn. - Imported

10

goods shall be admitted into a free zone when the goods declaration, together

11

with required documents, as required by existing laws and regulations, are

12

electronically lodged with the Bureau and other relevant government authorities

13

at the time of admission.

14

Imported goods shall be withdrawn from the free zone for entry to the

15

customs territory when the goods declaration is electronically lodged, together

16

with required documents at the time of the withdrawal from the free zone.

17

SEC. 815.

Exemption from Duty of Goods in Free Zones. Unless

18

otherwise provided by law and in accordance with the respective laws, rules and

19

regulations of the free zone authorities, goods admitted into a free zone shall not

20

be subject to duty and tax.

21

SEC. 816. Movement of Goods into and from Free Zones. The entry

22

of goods into a free zone, whether directly or through the customs territory, shall

23

be covered by the necessary goods declaration for admission or transit.

24

Withdrawal from the free zone into the customs territory shall be covered by the

25

necessary goods declaration for consumption or warehousing.

26
27

Transfer of goods from one free zone into another free zone shall likewise
be covered by the necessary transit permit.

28

The implementing rules and regulations on the transit of goods admitted

29

into, exported from, withdrawn into the customs territory, and moved between
74

free zones shall be formulated and issued jointly by the Bureau and the free zone

authorities.

SEC.

817.

Coordination With Free Zone Authority. To ensure

compliance with customs laws and regulations, the Bureau shall coordinate with

the governing authority of the zone. For this purpose, to ensure consistency and

harmony in the formulation and implementation of customs policies affecting the

free zone, the Commissioner shall sit as an ex officio member of the Board of

Directors of all free zone authorities.

CHAPTER 4

10

STORES

11
12
13
14
15

SEC. 818.

Stores for Consumption. Stores for consumption shall

include:
(a) Goods intended for use by the passengers and the crew on board
vessels aircrafts, or trains, whether or not sold; and
(b)

Goods necessary for the operation and maintenance of vessels,

16

aircraft or trains including fuel and lubricants but excluding spare parts and

17

equipment which are either on board upon arrival or are taken on board during

18

the stay in the customs territory of vessels, aircrafts or trains used, or intended to

19

be used, in international traffic for the transport of persons for remuneration or for

20

the industrial or commercial transport of goods, whether or not for remuneration.

21

SEC. 819. Stores to be Taken Away. For purposes of this Chapter,

22

stores to be taken away means goods for sale to the passengers and the crew

23

of vessels, aircrafts or trains with a view to being landed, which are either on

24

board upon arrival or are taken on board during the stay in the customs territory

25

of vessels, aircrafts or trains used, or intended to be used, in international traffic

26

for the transport of persons for remuneration or for the industrial or commercial

27

transport of goods, whether or not for remuneration.

28

SEC. 820. Exemption from Duties and Taxes of Stores. Customs

29

treatment of stores should apply uniformly, regardless of the country of

75

registration or ownership of vessels, aircraft or trains. stores which are carried in

a vessel, aircraft or train arriving in the customs territory shall be exempted from

import duties and taxes provided that they remain on board. Stores for

consumption by the passengers and the crew imported as provisions on

international express vessels, aircrafts or trains shall be exempted from import

duties and taxes: Provided, That:

7
8
9
10

(a)

such goods are purchased only in the countries crossed by the

international vessels and aircrafts in question; and

(b)

any duties and taxes chargeable on such goods in the country where

they were purchased are paid.

11

Stores necessary for the operation and maintenance of vessels, aircrafts

12

or trains which are on board these means of transport shall be exempted from

13

import duties and taxes: Provided, further, That they remain on board while

14

these means of transport are in the customs territory. The Bureau shall allow the

15

issue of stores for use on board during the stay of a vessel in the customs

16

territory in such quantities as the customs authority deems reasonable with due

17

regard to the number of the passengers and the crew and to the length of the

18

stay of the vessel in the customs territory. The Bureau should allow the issue of

19

stores for use on board by the crew while the vessel is undergoing repairs in a

20

dock or shipyard:

21

shipyard is considered to be reasonable.

Provided, finally, That the duration of stay in a dock or

22

When an aircraft is to land at one or more airports in the customs territory,

23

the Bureau should allow the issuance of stores for consumption on board both

24

during the stay of the aircraft at such intermediate airports and during its flight

25

between such airports.

26

The Bureau shall require a carrier to take appropriate measures to prevent

27

any unauthorized use of the stores including sealing of the stores, when

28

necessary. It shall require the removal of stores from the vessel, aircraft, or trains

76

for storage elsewhere during its stay in the customs territory only when the

bureau considers it necessary.

3
4

Vessels, aircrafts, or trains which depart for an ultimate foreign destination

shall be entitled to take on board, exempted from duties and taxes, the following:

(1) stores in such quantities as the bureau deems reasonable with due

regard to the number of the passengers and the crew, to the length of the voyage

or flight, and to any quantity of such stores already on board; and

(2) stores necessary for the operation and maintenance of a vessel,

aircraft or train, in such quantities as are deemed reasonable for operation and

10

maintenance during the voyage or flight, after due regard of the quantity of such

11

stores already on board.

12

Replenishment of stores that are exempted from duties and taxes shall be

13

allowed for vessels, aircrafts, or trains which have arrived in the customs

14

territory, and which need to replenish their stores for the journey to their final

15

destination in the customs territory, subject to the same conditions provided in

16

this Chapter.

17

SEC. 821.

Goods Declaration for Stores. When a declaration

18

concerning stores on board vessels arriving in the customs territory is required

19

by the Bureau, the information required shall be kept to the minimum and as may

20

be necessary for customs control.

21

The quantities of stores which are supplied to vessels during its stay in the

22

customs territory should be recorded on the required goods declaration

23

concerning stores.

24

The Bureau shall not require the presentation of a separate declaration of

25

remaining stores on board an aircraft. No separate declaration concerning stores

26

should be required upon departure of vessels from the customs territory. When a

27

declaration is required concerning stores taken on board the vessels or aircrafts

28

upon departure from the customs territory, the information required shall be kept

29

to the minimum as may be necessary for customs control.

77

1
2

When a vessel, aircraft or train arrives in the customs territory, stores on

board shall:

(a) be cleared for consumption or placed under another customs

procedure, subject to compliance with the conditions and formalities applicable in

each case; or

6
7

(b) subject to prior authorization by the bureau, be transferred

respectively to other vessel, aircraft or train assigned to an international route.

TITLE IX DUTY DRAWBACK AND REFUND

CHAPTER 1 DUTY DRAWBACK

10

SEC. 900.

Basis of Duty Drawback. (a) On Fuel Used for Propulsion

11

of Vessels. On all fuel imported into the Philippines used for propulsion of

12

vessels engaged in trade with foreign countries, or in the coastwise trade, a

13

refund or tax credit shall be allowed not exceeding ninety-nine percent (99%) of

14

the duty imposed by law upon such fuel, which shall be paid or credited under

15

such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Commissioner with the

16

approval of the Secretary of Finance.

17

(b)

On Petroleum Oils and Oils Obtained from Bituminous Minerals,

18

Crude, Eventually Used for Generation of Electric Power and for the Manufacture

19

of City Gas. On petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous materials,

20

crude oil imported by nonelectric utilities, sold directly or indirectly, in the same

21

form or after processing, to electric utilities for the generation of electric power

22

and for the manufacture of city gas, a refund or tax credit shall be allowed not

23

exceeding fifty percent (50%) of the duty imposed by law upon such oils, which

24

shall be paid or credited under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed

25

by the Commissioner with the approval of the Secretary of Finance.

26

(c)

On Goods Made from Imported Materials. Upon exportation of

27

goods manufactured or produced in the Philippines, including the packing,

28

covering, putting up, marking or labeling thereof either in whole or in part of the

29

imported materials for which duties have been paid, a refund or tax credit shall
78

be allowed for the duties paid on the imported materials so used including the

packing, covering, putting up, marking or labeling thereof, subject to the following

conditions:

(1)

the actual use of the imported materials in the production of

manufacture of the goods exported with their quantity, value, and amount of

duties paid thereon, should be established satisfactorily;

7
8
9

(2)

the duties refunded or credited shall not exceed one hundred percent

(100%) of duties paid on the imported materials used;

(3)

there is no determination by the NEDA of the requirement for

10

certification on non-availability of locally-produced or manufactured competitive

11

substitutes for the imported materials used at the time of importation;

12

(4)

the exportation shall be made within one (1) year after the

13

importation of materials used and claim of refund or tax credit shall be filed within

14

six (6) months from the date of exportation; and

15
16

(5)

when two or more products result from the use of the same imported

materials, an apportionment shall be made on its equitable basis.

17

SEC. 901. Payment of Drawbacks. Eligible claims for refund or tax

18

credit shall be paid or granted by the Bureau to claimants within sixty (60) days

19

after receipt of properly accomplished claims: Provided, That a registered

20

enterprise under Republic Act No. 5186, otherwise known as the Investment

21

Incentives Act, or Republic Act No. 6135, otherwise known as the Export

22

Incentives Act of 1970, which has previously enjoyed tax credits based on

23

customs duties paid on imported raw materials and supplies, shall not be entitled

24

to a drawback under this Section with respect to the same importation

25

subsequently processed and re-exported.

26

The Secretary of Finance may, upon the recommendation of the

27

Commissioner, promulgate rules and regulations allowing partial payments of

28

drawbacks pursuant to this Section.

79

SEC. 902.

Prescription of Drawback Claim. A claim and application

for a drawback shall prescribe if it is not filed within one (1) year from the date of

importation in case of Section 900 paragraphs (a) and (b) and within one (1) year

from the date of exportation in the case of Section 900 paragraph (c), subject to

such rules and regulations as may be issued by the Commissioner, upon

approval of the Secretary of Finance.

CHAPTER 2

REFUND AND ABATEMENT

SEC. 903.

Refund of Duties And Taxes. Refund shall be granted

10

where it is established that duties and taxes have been overcharged as a result

11

of an error in the assessment or goods declaration.

12

Where permission is given by the Bureau for goods originally declared for

13

a customs procedure with payment of duties and taxes to be placed under

14

another customs procedure, a refund shall be made of any duties and taxes

15

charged in excess of the amount due under the new procedure, subject to such

16

regulation issued for the purpose.

17

A refund shall not be granted if the amount of duties and taxes involved is

18

less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00): Provided, That the Secretary of

19

Finance, in consultation with the Commissioner, may

20

amount specified in this Act, taking into account the CPI as published by the

21

PSA.

adjust the minimum

22

SEC. 904. Abatement of Duties and Taxes. When goods have not yet

23

been released for consumption or have been placed under another customs

24

procedure, provided that no other offense or violation has been committed, the

25

declarant shall neither be required to pay the duties and taxes nor be entitled to

26

refund thereof in any of the following cases:

27

(a) When, at the request of the declarant, the goods are abandoned, or

28

as determined by the Bureau, the goods are destroyed or rendered commercially

80

valueless while under customs control. Any cost herein incurred shall be borne

by the declarant;

(b) When goods are destroyed or irrecoverably lost by accident or force

majeure. The remaining waste or scrap after destruction, if taken into

consumption, shall be subject to the duties and taxes that would be applicable on

such waste or scrap if imported in same state; and

(c) When there are shortages due to the nature of the goods.

SEC. 905.

Abatement for Damage Incurred During Voyage.

Except as otherwise provided, no abatement of duties shall be made on account

10

of damage incurred or deterioration suffered during the voyage of importation;

11

and duties will be assessed on the actual quantity imported as determined by the

12

customs officers concerned.

13

SEC. 906.

Abatement or Refund of Duty on Missing Package.

14

When any package or packages appearing on the manifest or bill of lading are

15

missing, an abatement or refund of the duty shall be made if it is certified by the

16

importer or consignee, under pain of penalty for falsification or perjury, and upon

17

production of proof satisfactory to the Bureau, that the package or packages in

18

question have not been unlawfully imported into the Philippines.

19

SEC. 907.

Abatement or Refund for Deficiency in Contents of

20

Packages. If, upon opening of any package, a deficiency in the quantity of the

21

goods is found to exist based upon the invoice, such deficiency shall be certified,

22

under pain of penalty for falsification or perjury, by the customs officers

23

concerned and upon the production of proof showing that the shortage occurred

24

before the arrival of the goods in the Philippines. Upon sufficient proof thereof,

25

the proper abatement or refund of the duty shall be made.

26

SEC. 908.

Abatement or Refund of Duties on Goods Lost or

27

Destroyed After Arrival. The Bureau may abate or refund the amount of

28

duties accruing or paid on any goods that have been lost due to injury, theft,

81

destruction through fire or through any other causes, upon satisfactory proof of

the same, under any of the following circumstances:

(a)

3
4

while within the territory of any port of entry, prior to unloading under

the Bureaus supervision;

(b)

while remaining in customs custody after unloading;

(c)

while in transit from the port of entry to any port in the Philippines;

7
8
9
10

and
(d) while released under sufficient security for export except in case of
loss by theft.
SEC. 909.

Abatement and Refund of Defective Goods. Under

11

conditions to be set by the Commissioner, and with the approval of the Secretary

12

of Finance, an abatement and refund shall be granted on imported or exported

13

goods which are found defective or otherwise not in accordance with the agreed

14

specifications at the time of importation or exportation and are returned either to

15

the supplier or to another person designated by the supplier, subject to the

16

following conditions:

17
18
19
20

(a) the goods have not been worked, repaired, or used in the country of
importation, and are re-exported within a reasonable time; and
(b) the goods have not been worked, repaired, or used in the country to
which they were exported, and are re-imported within a reasonable time.

21

Use of the goods shall, however, not hinder the refund if such use was

22

indispensable to discover the defects or other circumstances which caused the

23

re-exportation or re-importation of the goods.

24

As an alternative to re-exportation or re-importation, the goods may be

25

expressly abandoned or destroyed or rendered commercially valueless under

26

customs control as the Bureau may decide. In such case, the importer shall not

27

be entitled to an abatement or a refund if it does not defray the costs of such

28

abandonment, destruction, or rendition.

82

SEC. 910.

Abatement of Duty on Dead or Injured Animals. Where

it is certified, under pain of penalty for falsification or perjury, and upon

production of proof satisfactory to the Bureau that an animal subject of

importation dies or suffers injury before arrival, or while in customs custody, the

duty due thereon shall be abated provided that its carcass on board or in

customs custody is removed in the manner required by the Bureau and at the

expense of the importer.

SEC. 911. Investigation Required in Case of Abatements and

Refunds. The customs officer concerned shall, in all cases of abatement or

10

refund of duties, submit an examination report as to any fact discovered which

11

indicates any discrepancy and cause the corresponding adjustment on the goods

12

declaration: Provided, That no abatement or refund of duties, taxes, and other

13

charges shall be allowed on goods lost or destroyed in bonded public or private

14

warehouses outside the customs zone.

15

SEC. 912. Refund Arising from Correction of Errors. Manifest

16

clerical errors made on an invoice or entry, errors in return of weight, measure

17

and gauge, when duly certified to under penalties of falsification or perjury by the

18

surveyor or examining officer when there are such officers at the port, and errors

19

in the distribution of charges on invoices not involving any question of law and

20

certified to under penalties of falsification or perjury by the examining customs

21

officer, may be corrected in the computation of duties, if such errors are

22

discovered before the payments of duties, or if discovered within one (1) year

23

after release from customs custody of imported goods upon written request and

24

notice of error from the importer, or upon statement of error certified by the

25

District Officer.

26

For the purpose of correcting errors specified in the next preceding

27

paragraph, the Bureau is authorized to make refunds within the statutory time

28

limit.

83

SEC. 913.

Claims for Refund. All claims and application for refund

of duties shall be made in writing and forwarded to the Bureau within six (6)

months from the date of payment of duties and taxes.

If, as a result of the refund of customs duties, a corresponding refund of

internal revenue taxes on the same importation becomes due, the Bureau shall

cause the refund of internal revenue taxes in favor of the importer after issuance

of a certification from the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, when applicable.

The importer may file an appeal of a denial of a claim for refund or

abatement, whether it is a full or partial denial, with the Commissioner within

10

thirty (30) days from the date of the receipt of the denial. The Commissioner shall

11

render a decision within thirty (30) days from the receipt of all the necessary

12

documents supporting the application. Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the

13

decision of the Commissioner, the case may also be appealed to the Court of

14

Tax Appeals (CTA).

15

TITLE X

16

POST CLEARANCE AUDIT

17

SEC. 1000. Audit and Examination of Records. Within three (3)

18

years from the date of final payment of duties and taxes or customs clearance,

19

as the case may be, the Bureau may conduct an audit examination, inspection,

20

verification, and investigation of records pertaining to any goods declaration,

21

which shall include statements, declarations, documents, and electronically

22

generated or machine readable data, for the purpose of ascertaining the

23

correctness of the goods declaration and determining the liability of the importer

24

for duties, taxes, and other charges, including any fine or penalty, to ensure

25

compliance with this Act.

26

SEC. 1001. Scope of the Audit. The audit of importers shall be

27

conducted when firms are selected by a computer-aided risk management

28

system, the parameters of which are to be based on objective and quantifiable

84

data, subject to the approval of Secretary of Finance upon recommendation of

the Commissioner. The criteria for selecting firms to be audited shall include:

a. relative magnitude of customs revenue to be generated from the firm:

b. the rates of duties of the firms imports;

c. the compliance track records of the firm; and

d. an assessment of the risk to revenue of the firms import activities.

SEC. 1002. Access to Records. - Any authorized officer of the Bureau

shall be given by the importer and customs broker full and free access to the

premises where the records are kept to conduct audit examination, inspection,

10

verification, and investigation of those records relevant to such investigation or

11

inquiry.

12
13

A copy of any document certified by or on behalf of the importer is

admissible in evidence in all courts as if it were the original copy.

14

A customs officer is not entitled to enter the premises under this Section

15

unless, before so doing, the officer produces to the person occupying or

16

apparently in charge of the premises written evidence of the fact of being duly

17

authorized.

18

entered by an officer shall provide the officer with all reasonable facilities and

19

assistance for the effective exercise of the officers authority under this Section.

The person occupying or apparently in charge of the premises

20

Unless otherwise provided herein or in other provisions of law, the Bureau

21

may, in case of disobedience, invoke the aid of the proper regional trial court

22

within whose jurisdiction the matter falls. The court may punish contumacy or

23

refusal as contempt. In addition, the fact that the importer or customs broker

24

denies the authorized customs officer full and free access to importation records

25

during the conduct of a post clearance audit shall create a presumption of

26

inaccuracy in the transaction value declared for their imported goods and

27

constitute grounds for the bureau to conduct a re-assessment of such goods.

28

In addition, the imposition of the appropriate criminal sanctions provided

29

under this Act and other administrative sanctions may be concurrently invoked
85

against contumacious importers, including the suspension of the delivery or

release of their imported goods.

SEC. 1003. Requirement to Keep Records. (a) All importers are

required to keep at their principal place of business, in the manner prescribed by

regulations to be issued by the Commissioner and for a period of three (3) years

from the date of final payment of duties and taxes or customs clearance, as the

case may be, all records pertaining to the ordinary course of business and to any

activity or information contained in the records required by this Title in connection

with any such activity;

10
11
12

(b) For purposes of the post clearance audit and Section 1005, the term
importer shall include the following:
(1) Importer-of-record or consignee, owner or declarant, or a party who:

13

(i) imports goods into the Philippines or withdraws such goods into the

14

Philippine customs territory for consumption or warehousing;

15

files a claim for

16

such goods carried or held under security; or

refund or drawback; or

transports or stores

17

(ii) knowingly causes the importation or transportation or storage of

18

imported goods referred to above, or the filing of refund or

19

drawback claim.

20

(2) An agent of any party described in paragraph (1); or

21

(3) A person whose activities require the filing of a goods declaration.

22

(c) A person ordering imported goods from a local importer or supplier in a

23

domestic transaction shall be exempted from requirements imposed by this

24

Section unless:

25
26

(1) the terms and conditions of the importation are controlled by the
person placing the order; or

27

(2) the circumstances and nature of the relationship between the person

28

placing the order and the importer or supplier are such that the former

86

may be considered as the beneficial or true owner of the imported

goods; or

3
4

(3) the person placing the order had prior knowledge that they will be used
in the manufacture or production of the imported goods.

All customs brokers and all other parties engaged in customs clearance

and processing are required to keep at principal place of business, in the manner

prescribed by regulations to be issued by the Commissioner and for a period of

three (3) years from the date of filing of the goods declaration, copies of the

abovementioned records covering the transactions handled.

10

Locators or persons authorized to bring imported goods into free zones,

11

such as the special economic zones and free ports, are required to keep subject-

12

records of all its activities, including in whole or in part, records on imported

13

goods withdrawn from said zones into the customs territory.

14

SEC.1004.

Power of the Commissioner to Obtain Information and

15

Issue Summons. For the effective implementation of the post clearance audit

16

functions of the Bureau, the Commissioner is hereby authorized to:

17

(a) obtain on a regular basis from any person, in addition to the person

18

who is the subject of a post clearance audit or investigation, or from any office or

19

officer of the national and local governments, government agencies and

20

instrumentalities, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and

21

government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), any information such

22

as costs and volume of production, receipts or sales and gross incomes of

23

taxpayers, and the names, addresses, and financial statements of corporations,

24

regional operating headquarters of multinational companies, joint accounts,

25

associations, joint ventures or consortia and registered partnerships, and their

26

members, whose business operations or activities are directly or indirectly

27

involved in the importation or exportation of imported goods or products

28

manufactured from imported component materials;

87

(b) summon the person liable for duties and taxes or required to file an

entry, or any officer or employee of such person, or any person having

possession, custody, or care of the books of accounts and other accounting

records containing entries relating to the business of the person liable for duties

and taxes, or any other person, to appear before the Commissioner or the duly

authorized representative at a time and place specified in the summons and to

produce such books, papers, records, or other data, and to give testimony;

8
9

(c) take such testimony of the person concerned, under oath, as may be
relevant or material to such inquiry; or

10

(d) obtain information from banks or other financial institutions on

11

commercial documents and records pertaining specifically to payments relevant

12

to import transaction.

13

The provisions of the foregoing paragraphs notwithstanding, nothing in

14

this Section shall be construed as granting the Commissioner the authority to

15

inquire into bank deposits of persons or entities mentioned in this Title.

16

SEC. 1005. Failure to Pay Correct Duties and Taxes on Imported

17

Goods. Any person who, after being subjected to post clearance audit and

18

examination as provided in Section 1000, is found to have incurred deficiencies

19

in duties and taxes paid for imported goods, shall be penalized according to two

20

(2) degrees of culpability subject to any mitigating, aggravating, or extraordinary

21

factors that are clearly established by

22

hereunder:

available evidence as described

23

(a) Negligence. When a deficiency results from an offenders failure,

24

through an act or acts of omission or commission, to exercise reasonable care

25

and competence in ensuring that a statement made is correct, the offender shall

26

be charged for committing negligence, and, if found guilty shall be penalized with

27

a fine equivalent to one hundred twenty five percent (125%) of the revenue loss;

28

(b) Fraud. When the material false statement or act in connection with

29

the transaction was committed or omitted knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally,

88

as established by clear and convincing evidence, the offender who is charged for

committing fraud and is found guilty thereof, shall be penalized with a fine

equivalent to six (6)times of the revenue loss and/or imprisonment of not less

than two (2) years, but not more than eight (8) years.

The decision of the Commissioner, upon proper hearing, to impose

penalties as prescribed in this section may be appealed in accordance with

Section 1104.

SEC. 1006. Records to be Kept by the Bureau. The Bureau shall

keep a database of importer and broker profiles which shall include a record of

10

audit results and the following information and papers:

11

(a) Articles of Incorporation;

12

(b) The company structure, which shall include but not be limited to

13

incorporators and board of directors, key officers, and organizational structure:

14

(c) Key importations;

15

(d) Privileges enjoyed;

16

(e) Penalties; and

17

(f) Risk categories.

18

The Bureau shall furnish the BIR and the DOF a copy of the final audit

19

results within thirty (30) days from the issuance thereof.

20

TITLE XI

21

ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURES

22

CHAPTER 1

23

ADVANCE RULING AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

24

SEC. 1100. Classification Ruling.

An importer or exporter may file

25

a written application for an advance ruling on the tariff classification of goods with

26

the Tariff Commission. The Tariff Commission shall render a ruling within thirty

27

(30) days from receipt of a properly documented application.

28

When a declared tariff classification of goods, not subject of a pending

29

application for advance ruling, is in dispute, the importer, exporter, or the Bureau
89

shall submit the matter to the Tariff Commission for a ruling, without prejudice to

the application of Section 1106 of this Act on protest: Provided, that such

rulings of the Tariff Commission on commodity classification shall be binding

upon the Bureau, unless the Secretary of Finance shall rule otherwise.

SEC. 1101. Valuation Ruling. - An importer or exporter may file a written

application for an advance valuation ruling on the proper application of a specific

method on customs valuation of specific goods as prescribed in Title VII, Chapter

1 of this Act.

The application for a valuation ruling shall be filed with the Commissioner

10

who shall issue a ruling within thirty (30) days from submission of the application

11

form and supporting documents as may be required by rules and regulations.

12

When the valuation method of goods not subject of an application for

13

advance valuation ruling or the declared customs value is in dispute, the matter

14

shall be resolved in accordance with Section 1106 of this Act on protest.

15

SEC. 1102. Ruling on the Rules of Origin. An importer or exporter

16

may file a written application for a ruling on whether the goods qualify as

17

originating under the rules of origin of the applicable preferential trade

18

agreement. The application for an advance ruling on origin shall be filed with the

19

Commissioner who shall act on the application within thirty (30) days from receipt

20

of the application and supporting documents as may be required by rules and

21

regulation.

22

When the declared origin of the goods, not subject of a request for

23

advance ruling on origin, is in dispute, the matter shall be resolved in accordance

24

with Section 1106 of this Act on protest.

25

SEC. 1103. Conditions for Application and Effect of Advance Ruling.

26

An application for an advance ruling shall cover only one (1) product or item.

27

the application for advance ruling shall be filed at least ninety (90) days before

28

the importation or exportation of the product or item, as the case may be.

90

SEC. 1104. Administrative and Judicial Appeals. An aggrieved party

may, within thirty (30) days from receipt of an adverse ruling or decision, appeal

the same to the CTA without prejudice to the authority of the Secretary of

Finance to review decisions adverse to the government in accordance with

Section 1128 of this Act.

SEC. 1105. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of

Finance, upon the recommendation of the Bureau and the Tariff Commission,

shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the preceding provisions on

advance ruling.

10

CHAPTER 2

11

PROTEST

12

SEC. 1106. Protest . When a ruling or decision of the District Officer

13

or customs officer

involving goods with valuation, rules of origin, and other

14

customs issues is made, except the fixing of fines in seizure cases, the party

15

adversely affected may appeal by way of protest against such ruling or decision

16

by presenting to the Commissioner at the time when payment of the amount

17

claimed to be due the government is made, or within fifteen (15) days thereafter,

18

a written protest setting forth the objection to the ruling or decision in question

19

with the reasons therefore.

20

Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance, the Commissioner

21

shall provide such rules and regulations as to the requirement for payment or

22

non- payment of the disputed amount and in case of non-payment, the release of

23

the importation under protest upon posting of sufficient guarantee.

24

SEC. 1107. Protest Exclusive Remedy in Protestable Case. In all

25

cases subject to protest, the interested party who desires to have the action of

26

the District Officer reviewed, shall file a protest as provided in Section 1106,

27

otherwise the action of the District Officer shall be final and conclusive.

28

SEC. 1108. Form and Scope of Protest. A protest shall be filed in

29

accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations promulgated under this
91

Section. It shall point out the particular decision or ruling of the District Officer for

which protest is being made, and shall indicate the particular ground or grounds

upon which the protesting party bases the claim for relief. The scope of a protest

shall be limited to the particular goods subject of a goods declaration, but any

number of issues

declaration constituting the subject matter of the protest.

may be raised in a protest with reference to the goods

SEC. 1109. Samples to be Furnished by Protesting Parties. If the

nature of the goods permit, importers filing protests involving questions of fact

must, upon demand, present to the Commissioner samples of the goods which

10

are the subject matter of the protest. The samples of the goods shall be verified

11

by the customs officer who made the classification against which the protests are

12

filed.

13

SEC. 1110. Decision in Protest. When a protest is filed in proper

14

form, the Commissioner shall render a decision within thirty (30) days from

15

receipt of the protest. In case the protest is sustained, in whole or in part, the

16

appropriate order shall be made, and the entry reassessed, if necessary.

17

CHAPTER 3

18

ALERT ORDERS

19

SEC. 1111. Alert Orders. Alert orders are written orders issued by

20

customs officers as authorized by the Commissioner on the basis of derogatory

21

information regarding possible non-compliance with this Act. An alert order will

22

result in the suspension of the processing of the goods declaration and the

23

conduct of physical or non-intrusive inspection of the goods within forty-eight (48)

24

hours from issuance of the order. Within forty-eight (48) hours or, in the case of

25

perishable goods, within twenty-four (24) hours from inspection, the alerting

26

officer shall recommend the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention or the

27

suspension of processing of the release of the goods by the District Officer

28

concerned.

92

Derogatory information shall indicate the violations and other necessary

specifics thereof. For this purpose, the following shall not be considered

derogatory information:

(a)

General allegations of undervaluation;

(b)

General allegations of misclassification without providing the

6
7
8

appropriate tariff heading and duty of the shipment to be alerted;

(c)

General allegations of over-quantity without indicating the source of

information supporting the allegation;

(d) General allegations of misdeclaration in the entry without indicating the

10

suspected actual contents thereof; and general allegations of importations

11

contrary to law without indicating the specific law or rule to be violated.

12

No alert order shall be issued on account of allegations of undervaluation

13

unless said undervaluation is caused by the submission to customs of forged or

14

spurious invoice or other commercial documents.

15

An alert order may be issued only after lodgement of the goods

16

declaration and prior to the release of goods from customs custody. Under no

17

circumstances shall the suspension of the processing of goods declaration be

18

allowed except through an alert order issued by an authorized customs officer.

19

The costs of the physical inspection shall be borne by the Bureau:

20

Provided, That such cost shall be reimbursed by the owner prior to the release of

21

the goods if the physical inspection results to the assessment of additional duties

22

or taxes or the issuance of a warrant of seizure.

23

The Commissioner shall be notified of the recommendation by the alerting

24

officer within twenty-four (24) hours from the issuance of the alert order. Alert

25

orders shall be dated and assigned a unique reference number in series which

26

shall be the basis for reporting to and monitoring by the Commissioner and the

27

Secretary of Finance.

28
29

The Bureau shall create a central clearing house for alert orders and shall
submit reports quarterly on the status thereof.
93

SEC. 1112. Alert Orders on Perishable Goods. When the subject of

the alert order are perishable goods, the Bureau shall attach to the

recommendation a certificate stating that the goods are perishable.

CHAPTER 4

SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

6
7

SEC. 1113. Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture. Property

that shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture include:

(a) Any vehicle, vessel or aircraft, including cargo, which shall be used

unlawfully in the importation or exportation of goods or in conveying or

10

transporting smuggled goods in commercial quantities into or from any Philippine

11

port or place. The mere carrying or holding on board of smuggled goods in

12

commercial quantities shall subject such vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or any other

13

craft to forfeiture: Provided, That the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft or any other craft

14

is not used as a common carrier which has been chartered or leased for

15

purposes of conveying or transporting persons or cargo;

16

(b) Any vessel engaging in the coastwise trade which shall have on board

17

goods of foreign growth, produce, or manufacture in excess of the amount

18

necessary for sea stores, without such goods having been properly entered or

19

legally imported;

20

(c) Any vessel or aircraft into which shall be transferred cargo unloaded

21

contrary to law prior to the arrival of the importing vessel or aircraft at the port of

22

destination;

23

(d) Any part of the cargo, stores, or supplies of a vessel or aircraft arriving

24

from a foreign port which is unloaded before arrival at the vessels or aircrafts

25

port of destination and without authority from the customs officer; but such cargo,

26

ship, or aircraft stores and supplies shall not be forfeited if such unloading was

27

due to accident, stress of weather, or other necessity and is subsequently

28

approved by the District Officer;

94

(e) Goods which are fraudulently concealed in or removed contrary to law

from any public or private warehouse, container yard, or container freight station

under customs supervision;

(f) Goods the importation or exportation of which are effected or attempted

contrary to law, or any goods of prohibited importation or exportation, and all

other goods which, in the opinion of the District Officer, have been used, are or

were entered to be used as instruments in the importation or the exportation of

the former;

9
10

(g) Unmanifested goods found on any vessel or aircraft if manifest

therefor is required;

11

(h) Sea stores or aircraft stores adjudged by the District Officer to be

12

excessive, when the duties and taxes assessed by the District Officer thereon

13

are not paid or secured forthwith upon assessment of the same;

14

(i) Any package of imported goods which is found upon examination to

15

contain goods not specified in the invoice or goods declaration including all other

16

packages purportedly containing imported goods similar to those declared in the

17

invoice or goods declaration to be the contents of the misdeclared package:

18

(j) Boxes, cases, trunks, envelopes, and other containers of whatever

19

character used as receptacle or as device to conceal goods which are subject to

20

forfeiture under this Act or which are so designed as to conceal the character of

21

such goods;

22

(k) Any conveyance actually used for the transport of goods subject to

23

forfeiture under this Act, with its equipage or trappings, and any vehicle similarly

24

used, together with its equipment and appurtenances. The mere conveyance of

25

smuggled goods by such transport vehicle shall be sufficient cause for the

26

outright seizure and confiscation of such transport vehicle but the forfeiture shall

27

not be effected if it is established that the owner of the means of conveyance

28

used as aforesaid, is engaged as common carrier and not chartered or leased, or

95

that the agent in charge thereof at the time, has no knowledge of the unlawful

act; and

(l) Goods sought to be imported or exported:

(1) without going through a customs office, whether the act was
consummated, frustrated, or attempted;

5
6

(2) found in the baggage of a person arriving from abroad and undeclared
by such person;

7
8

(3) through a false declaration or affidavit executed by the owner,

importer, exporter, or consignee concerning the importation of such

goods;

10
11

(4) on the strength of a false invoice or other document executed by the

12

owner, importer, exporter, or consignee concerning the importation or

13

exportation of such goods; or

14

(5) through any other practice or device contrary to law by means of which

15

such goods entered through a customs office to the prejudice of the

16

government.

17

SEC. 1114. Properties Not Subject to Forfeiture in the Absence of

18

Prima Facie Evidence. The forfeiture of the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft shall

19

not be effected if it is established that the owner thereof or the agent in charge of

20

the means of conveyance used as aforesaid has no knowledge of or participation

21

in the unlawful act: Provided, That a prima facie presumption shall exist against

22

the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft under any of the following circumstances:

23

(a) If the conveyance has been used for smuggling before;

24

(b) If the owner is not in the business for which the conveyance is

25

generally used; and

26

(c)

If the owner is not financially in a position to own such conveyance.

27

SEC. 1115. Conditions Affecting Forfeiture of Goods.

The

28

forfeiture shall be effected only when and while the goods are in the custody or

29

within the jurisdiction of customs officers, or in the possession or custody of or

96

subject to the control of the importer, exporter, original owner, consignee, agent

of another person effecting the importation, entry or exportation in question, or in

the possession or custody of or subject to the control of persons who shall

receive, conceal, buy, sell, or transport the same, or aid in any such acts, with

knowledge that the goods were imported, or were the subject of an attempt at

importation or exportation contrary to law.

SEC. 1116. Seizure or Release of Goods. The District Officer shall

issue an order of release or a warrant of seizure within five (5) days, or two (2)

days in case of perishable goods, upon the recommendation of the alerting

10

officer or any other customs officer. The District Officer shall immediately make a

11

report of such seizure or release to the Commissioner.

12

SEC. 1117. Warrant of Seizure. The District Officer shall have the

13

authority to issue a warrant of seizure of the goods upon determination of

14

probable cause as provided for in this Act. The Bureaus Legal Service, through

15

the Prosecution and Litigation Division (PLD), may also determine the existence

16

of probable cause for the issuance of warrant of seizure. The District Officer shall

17

submit to the PLD within twenty-four (24) hours the relevant report and

18

documents which support the basis of its action. The PLD shall submit its

19

findings and recommendations to the Director of the Legal Service within three

20

(3) days of receipt of such report, or within twenty-four (24) hours in the case of

21

perishable goods. On the basis thereof, the Director of the Legal Service shall

22

immediately recommend to the District Officer for the issuance or non-issuance

23

of a warrant of seizure.

24

Prior to the final resolution of forfeiture proceedings, the District Officer

25

may, with prior notice to the Commissioner and upon motion by the importer or

26

consignee, allow the release of seized goods under cash bond or sufficient

27

security equivalent to the landed cost of the goods and any fine, expenses, and

28

costs which may be adjudged, subject to the following:

97

1
2
3
4

(1) There is no prima facie evidence of fraud in the importation of the

goods;
(2) The goods shall not be released when the importation is prohibited by
law; and

(3) The release of the goods under this Section shall not be construed as

relieving the owner or importer from any criminal liability which may arise from

any violation of this Act or other laws.

Sec. 1118. Sale of Perishable Goods during Forfeiture Proceedings.

upon motion of the importer of the perishable goods, the goods may be sold at a

10

public auction during the pendency of the forfeiture proceedings. The proceeds

11

of the auction shall be held in escrow until the final resolution of the proceedings.

12

SEC. 1119. Service of Warrant of Seizure. The District Officer shall

13

cause the service of the warrant of seizure to the owner or importer of the goods

14

or the authorized representative thereof. The owner or importer shall be given an

15

opportunity to be heard during the forfeiture proceedings.

16

For the purpose of serving the warrant, the importer, consignee, or person

17

holding the bill of lading or airway bill shall be deemed the owner of the goods.

18

For the same purpose, authorized representative shall include any agent of the

19

owner and if the owner or the agent is unknown, any person having possession

20

of the goods at the time of the seizure.

21

Service of warrant to an unknown owner shall be effected by posting the

22

warrant for fifteen (15) days in a public place at the concerned district, and by

23

electronic or printed publication.

24

SEC. 1120. Description, Classification and Valuation of Seized

25

Goods. The District Officer shall cause the preparation of a list and particular

26

description, classification, and valuation of the goods seized and valuation of

27

identical or similar goods.

28

SEC. 1121. Proceedings in Case of Property Belonging to Unknown

29

Parties. If, within fifteen (15) days after service of warrant, no owner or agent
98

can be found or appears before the District Officer, the seized goods shall be

forfeited ipso facto in favor of the government to be disposed of in accordance

with this Act.

SEC. 1122. Seizure of Vessel or Aircraft for Delinquency of Owner or

When the owner, agent, master, pilot in command or other

Officer.

responsible officer of any vessel or aircraft becomes liable for any violation of

this Act, the vessel or aircraft may be seized and subjected to forfeiture

proceedings for the settlement of any fine or penalty for which such person is

liable. In determining whether or not to seize a vessel or aircraft, the Bureau shall

10

take into account the amount of fine or penalty in relation to the commercial

11

impact that may be caused to international trade by the seizure or detention as

12

well as the value of the vessel or aircraft.

SEC. 1123. Burden of Proof in Forfeiture Proceedings.

13

In all

14

proceedings for the forfeiture of any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or goods under this

15

Act, the burden of proof shall be borne by the claimant.

SEC. 1124. Settlement of Pending Seizure Case by Payment of Fine

16

17

or Redemption of Forfeited Goods.

Subject to the approval of the

18

Commissioner, the District Officer may allow the settlement by payment of fine or

19

the redemption of forfeited goods, during the course of the forfeiture proceeding.

20

However, the Commissioner may accept the settlement by redemption of any

21

forfeiture case on appeal. No settlement by payment of fine shall be allowed

22

when there is fraud or when the discrepancy in duty and tax to be paid between

23

what is determined and what is declared amounts to more than thirty percent

24

(30%).

25

In case of settlement by payment of fine, the owner, importer, exporter, or

26

consignee or agent shall offer to pay a fine equivalent to thirty percent (30%) of

27

the landed cost of the seized goods. In case of settlement by redemption, the

28

owner, importer, exporter, or consignee or agent shall offer to pay the redeemed

99

value equivalent to one hundred percent (100%) of the landed cost or the

domestic value, whichever is higher.

Upon payment of the fine or payment of the redeemed value, the goods

shall be released and all liabilities which may attach to the goods shall be

discharged without prejudice to the filing of administrative or criminal case.

Settlement of any seizure case by payment of the fine or redemption of

forfeited goods shall not be allowed when there is fraud, or where the importation

is prohibited or the release of the goods is contrary to law.

SEC. 1125. Decision in Forfeiture Cases. - In forfeiture cases, the

10

District Officer shall issue an order for hearing within fifteen (15) days, or five (5)

11

days in case of perishable goods, from issuance of the warrant and hear the

12

matter thus presented. The District Officer shall render a decision within thirty

13

(30) days upon termination of the hearing, or within ten (10) days in case of

14

perishable goods. The decision shall include a declaration of forfeiture, the

15

imposition of a fine or such other action as may be proper.

16

CHAPTER 5

17

APPEAL IN PROTEST AND FORFEITURE CASES

18

SEC. 1126. Appeal to the Commissioner. In forfeiture cases, the

19

person aggrieved by the decision of a District Officer may, within fifteen (15) days

20

or five (5) days in case of perishable goods, from receipt of the decision, file a

21

written notice of appeal to the District Officer with a copy furnished to the

22

Commissioner of his intention to appeal the action or decision of the District

23

Officer together with the payment of the required appeal fee. The District Officer

24

shall immediately transmit all the records of the proceedings to the

25

Commissioner, who shall review and decide on the appeal within thirty (30) days

26

from receipt of the records, or fifteen (15) days in the case of perishable goods.

27

Provided, That if within thirty (30) days, no decision is rendered, the decision of

28

the District Officer under appeal shall be deemed affirmed.

29

beyond the period herein prescribed shall be dismissed.

100

An appeal filed

1
2

The decision of the Commissioner may be served by through the

recognized modes of service under existing law.

SEC. 1127. Automatic Review in Forfeiture Cases. - The Commissioner

shall automatically review any decision by the District Officer adverse to the

government. The entire records of the case shall be elevated within five (5) days

from the promulgation of the decision. The Commissioner shall decide on the

automatic review within thirty (30) days, or within ten (10) days in the case of

perishable goods, from receipt of the records. When no decision is rendered

within the prescribed period or when a decision adverse to the government is

10

rendered by the Commissioner involving goods with FOB or FCA value of Ten

11

Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) or more, the records on the decision of the

12

Commissioner, or of the District Officer under review, as the case may be, shall

13

be automatically elevated within five (5) days for review by the Secretary of

14

Finance. The decision issued by the Secretary of Finance, whether or not a

15

decision was rendered by the Commissioner within thirty (30) days, or within ten

16

(10) days in the case of perishable goods, from receipt of the records, shall be

17

final upon the Bureau.

18

SEC. 1128. Automatic Review by the Secretary of Finance in Other

19

Cases. In cases not involving protest or forfeiture, the Commissioner shall

20

automatically review any decision by the District Officer that is adverse to the

21

government. The records of the case shall be elevated to the Commissioner

22

within five (5) days from the promulgation of the decision. The Commissioner

23

shall decide on the automatic review within thirty (30) days from receipt of the

24

records, or within ten (10) days in the case of perishable goods.

25

decision is rendered within the prescribed period or when any decision rendered

26

by the Commissioner is adverse to the government, the records of the case

27

under review shall be automatically elevated within five (5) days for the review of

28

the secretary of finance. The decision issued by the Secretary of Finance,

29

whether or not a decision was rendered by the Commissioner within thirty (30)
101

When no

days from receipt of the records, or within ten (10) days in the case of perishable,

shall be final upon the Bureau.

CHAPTER 6

ABANDONMENT

5
6
7

SEC. 1129. Abandonment, Kinds and Effects of. Imported goods

are deemed abandoned under any of the following circumstances:
(a)

When the owner, importer, or consignee of the imported goods

expressly signifies in writing to the District Officer the intention to abandon the

same; or

10

(b)

When the owner, importer, consignee, or interested party after due

11

notice, fails to file an entry within the prescribed period in Section 407: Provided,

12

That the term entry shall include provisional or incomplete goods declaration

13

deemed valid by the Bureau as provided in Section 403 of this Act. For this

14

purpose, it is the duty of the District Officer to post a list of all packages

15

discharged and their consignees, whether electronically or physically in the

16

District Office, or send a notice to the consignee within five (5) days from the

17

date of discharge; or

18

(c)

Having filed such entry, an owner, importer, consignee or interested

19

party after due notice, fails to pay the assessed duties, taxes and other charges

20

thereon, or, if the regulated goods failed to comply with Section 117, within

21

fifteen (15) days from the date of final assessment: Provided, That if such

22

regulated goods are subject of an Alert Order and the assessed duties, taxes,

23

and other charges thereof are not paid within fifteen (15) days from notification

24

by the Bureau of the resolution of the Alert Order, the same shall also be

25

deemed abandoned; or

26

(d)

Having paid the assessed duties, taxes, and other charges, the

27

owner, importer or consignee or interested party after due notice, fails to claim

28

the goods within thirty (30) days. For this purpose, the arrastre or warehouse

102

operator shall report the unclaimed goods to the District Officer for disposition

pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

The due notice requirement under this Section may be provided by the

Bureau through electronic notice or personal service: Provided, That for non-

regular importers, notification shall be by registered mail or personal service. For

this purpose, the accreditation of importers, exporters, and other third parties

shall include provision for mandatory receipt of electronic notices.

SEC. 1130. Treatment and Disposition of Abandoned Goods.

Expressly abandoned goods under paragraph (a) of Section 1129 shall ipso facto

10

be deemed the property of the government and shall be disposed of in

11

accordance with the provisions of this Act.

12

If the Bureau has not disposed of the abandoned goods, the owner or

13

importer of goods impliedly abandoned may, at any time within thirty (30) days

14

after the lapse of the prescribed period to file the declaration, reclaim the goods

15

provided that all legal requirements have been complied with and the

16

corresponding duties, taxes, and other charges as well as expenses incurred

17

have been paid before the release of the goods from customs custody.

18

When the Bureau sells goods which have been impliedly abandoned,

19

although no offense has been discovered, the proceeds of the sale, after

20

deduction of any duty and tax and all other charges and expenses incurred as

21

provided in Section 1143, shall be turned over to those persons entitled to

22

receive them or, when this is not possible, held at their disposal for a specified

23

period. After the lapse of the specified period, the balance shall be transferred to

24

the forfeiture fund as provided in Section 1151.

25

CHAPTER 7

26

OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS

27

SEC. 1131. Authority of the Commissioner to Make Compromise.

28

Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance, the Commissioner may

29

compromise any administrative case arising under this Act involving the
103

imposition of fines and surcharges, including those arising from the conduct of a

post clearance audit, unless otherwise specified by law.

3
4

Cases involving forfeiture proceedings shall however not be subject to any

compromise.

CHAPTER 8

CIVIL REMEDIES FOR THE COLLECTION OF DUTIES AND TAXES

SEC. 1132. Remedies for the Collection of Duties, Taxes, Fines,

The civil remedies for the

Surcharges, Interests, and other Charges.

collection of import duties, taxes, fees, or charges resulting from the conduct of a

10

post clearance audit shall be obtained by:

11

(a) distraint of goods, chattels, or effects, and other personal property of

12

whatever character, including stocks and other securities, debts, credits, bank

13

accounts, and interest in and rights to personal property, and by levy upon real

14

property and interest in rights to real property; and

15

(b) by civil or criminal action.

16

Either or both of these remedies may be pursued at the discretion of the

17

bureau: Provided, That the remedies of distraint and levy shall not be allowed

18

when the amount of duties and taxes involved is not more than Ten Thousand

19

Pesos (P10,000.00).

20

The Bureau shall advance the amounts needed to defray costs of

21

collection by means of civil or criminal action, including the preservation or

22

transportation of personal property distrained and the advertisement and sale

23

thereof, as well as of real property and improvements thereon.

24

SEC. 1133. Constructive Distraint of the Property. To safeguard

25

the interest of the government, the Commissioner may place under constructive

26

distraint the property of a delinquent importer who, in the opinion of the

27

commissioner, is retiring from any business subject to duty and tax, or is

28

intending to leave the Philippines, or to remove the property therefrom, or to hide

104

or conceal the property, or to perform any act tending to obstruct the proceedings

for collecting the duty and tax due, or which may be due.

The constructive distraint of personal property shall be effected by

requiring the importer or any person in possession or control of such property to

sign a receipt covering the property, to obligate to preserve the distrained

property on the state and condition at the time of the governments seizure of the

same, and not to dispose of the same in any manner whatsoever, without the

express authority of the Commissioner.

In case the importer or the person in possession and control of the

10

property sought to be placed under constructive distraint refuses or fails to sign

11

the receipt herein referred to, the Customs Officer effecting the constructive

12

distraint shall proceed to prepare a list of such property and, in the presence of

13

two (2) witnesses, leave a copy thereof in the premises where the property

14

distrained is located, after which the said property shall be deemed to have been

15

placed under constructive distraint.

16

SEC. 1134. Summary Remedies. (a) Distraint of Personal Property.

17

upon the failure of the person owing any delinquent duty, tax, and other charges

18

to pay at the time required, the Commissioner shall seize and distraint the goods,

19

chattels or effects, and the personal property, including stocks and other

20

securities, debts, credits, bank accounts, and interests in and rights to personal

21

property of such persons, in sufficient quantity to satisfy the duty, tax, or other

22

charge and the expenses of the distraint and the cost of the subsequent sale.

23

A report on the distraint shall, within ten (10) days from receipt of the

24

warrant, be submitted by the Commissioner to the Secretary of Finance:

25

Provided, That the Commissioner shall have the power to lift such order of

26

distraint subject to the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act.

27

(b)

Levy on Real Property. After the expiration of the period within

28

which to pay the duty, tax, and other charges as prescribed in this Section, real

29

property may be levied upon, before, simultaneously, or after the distraint of

105

personal property belonging to the importer. To this end, the Commissioner or

the duly authorized representative shall prepare a duly authenticated certificate

showing the name of the importer and the amounts of the duty and tax and

penalty due. The certificate shall operate with the force of a legal execution

throughout the Philippines.

The levy shall be effected by writing upon the certificate a description of

the property on which levy is made. At the same time, written notice of the levy

shall be mailed to or served upon the Register of Deeds for the province or city

where the property is located and upon the importer, or if the latter is not in the

10

Philippines, upon the agent or the manager of the business from which the

11

liability arose, or if there be none, to the occupant of the property in question.

12

In case the warrant of levy on real property is not issued before or

13

simultaneously with the warrant of distraint on personal property, and the

14

personal property of the importer is not sufficient to satisfy the duty and tax due,

15

the Commissioner or a duly authorized representative shall, within thirty (30)

16

days after execution of the distraint, proceed with the levy on the real property of

17

the importer.

18

Within ten (10) days after receipt of the warrant, a report on any levy shall

19

be submitted by the levying officer to the Commissioner: Provided, That the

20

Commissioner may lift such warrants of levy issued, subject to the rules and

21

regulations promulgated pursuant this Act.

22

CHAPTER 9

23

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

24

SEC. 1135. Supervision and Control over Criminal and Civil

25

Proceedings. Civil and criminal actions and proceedings instituted on behalf

26

of the government under the authority of this Act or other laws enforced by the

27

Bureau shall be brought in the name of the government of the Philippines and

28

shall be prosecuted and handled by the Bureau with the assistance of the

29

Department of Justice (DOJ): Provided, That, the determination of the existence

106

of probable cause and the subsequent filing of any criminal or civil case with the

proper court against violators of this Act shall exclusively belong to the DOJ:

Provided, however, That no civil or criminal action for the recovery of duties or

the enforcement of any fine, penalty or forfeiture under this Act shall be filed in

court without the approval of the Commissioner.

SEC. 1136. Review by CTA. Unless otherwise provided in this Act or

by any other law, the party aggrieved by the ruling or decision of the

Commissioner may appeal to the CTA, in the manner and within the period

prescribed by law and regulations. Decisions of the Secretary of Finance when

10

required by this Act, may likewise be appealed to the CTA.

11

Unless an appeal is made to the CTA in the manner and within the period

12

prescribed by law and regulations, the ruling or decision of the Commissioner or

13

the Secretary of Finance shall be final and executory.

14

SEC. 1137. Exclusive Jurisdiction of the Bureau. - Jurisdiction over

15

imported goods and goods for exportation shall be exclusive to the Bureau, or

16

the Secretary of Finance, when under review by the latter, subject to the

17

proceedings described in this Title.

18
19
20

Except for the CTA, no court may issue any order or decision until all the
remedies for administrative appeal have been exhausted.
SEC. 1138. Fraud Investigation and Prosecution. No criminal case

21

for violation of this Title shall be instituted without the

22

Commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

approval of the

23

The Bureau shall have the power to investigate and institute smuggling

24

cases committed within its jurisdiction: Provided, That in case of inquest, the

25

same may be instituted by the apprehending custom offices.

107

CHAPTER 10

DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY IN CUSTOMS CUSTODY

SEC. 1139. Goods Subject to Disposition.

Goods in customs

custody that are in the following conditions and status shall be subject to

disposition:

(a)

abandoned goods;

(b)

goods entered under warehousing entry but not withdrawn, or those

whose duties and taxes have not been paid within the period described under

Section 811 of this Act;

10

(c)

forfeited goods, other than prohibited goods; and

11

(d)

goods subject to a valid lien for customs duties, taxes and other

12

charges collectible by the Bureau, after the expiration of the period allowed for

13

payment thereof.

14

SEC. 1140. Place of Disposition of Goods. Upon the order of the

15

District Officer, goods may be sold or otherwise disposed of at the port where the

16

goods are located, unless the Commissioner shall direct its transfer to another

17

port.

18

SEC. 1141. Mode of Disposition. The goods subject to disposition

19

may be donated to another government agency or declared for official use of the

20

Bureau, after approval of the Secretary of Finance, or sold at a public auction

21

within thirty (30) days after a ten(10) day notice posted at a public place at the

22

port where the goods are located and published electronically or in a newspaper

23

of general circulation.

24

For purposes of donating the goods as above described, goods suitable

25

for shelter or consisting of foodstuffs, clothing materials or medicines may be

26

donated to the DSWD.

27

SEC. 1142. Disqualification to Participate in Auction Sale. No

28

customs officer or employee shall be allowed to bid directly or indirectly, in any

29

customs auction.
108

1
2

SEC. 1143. Disposition of Proceeds. The following expenses and

obligations shall be paid from the proceeds of the sale in the order provided:

(a) customs duties, except in the case of forfeited goods;

(b) taxes and other charges due the government;

(c) government storage charges;

(d) expenses for the appraisal, advertisement, and sale of auctioned

goods;

(e) arrastre and private storage charges and demurrage charges; and

(f) freight, lighterage or general average, on the voyage of importation, of

10

which due notice shall have been given to the District Officer.

11

The Commissioner is authorized to determine the maximum charges to be

12

recovered by private entities concerned under subsections (e) and (f) of this

13

Section.

14

SEC. 1144. Disposition of Perishable Goods. Perishable goods as

15

defined under this Act when certified as such by the Bureau, may be sold at a

16

public auction within five (5) days, after a three (3) day notice.

17

For this purpose, perishable goods shall include goods liable to perish or

18

be wasted, or those that depreciate greatly in value while stored, or which cannot

19

be kept without great disproportionate expense. The Bureau shall proceed to

20

advertise and sell the same at auction upon notice as shall be deemed to be

21

reasonable.

22

SEC. 1145. Disposition of Goods Injurious to Public Health.

23

Goods in the custody of the Bureau which, in the opinion of the District Office

24

rare injurious to public health, shall be seized. The District Officer shall, if the

25

matter is not disposable under the provisions relating to food and drugs, appoint

26

three (3) members to constitute a Board to examine the goods. The Board shall

27

be composed of one (1) representative from either the Department of Health

28

(DOH) or other appropriate government agency or the local government unit

29

(LGU) concerned, and two (2) representatives from the Bureau. If the goods are
109

found to be injurious to public health, the Board shall report this to the District

Officer, who shall order its destruction in an appropriate manner or order its re-

exportation in accordance with this Act.

The District Officer shall immediately coordinate with the health and

quarantine officers at the port of entry for the disposition of goods injurious to

public health.

SEC. 1146. Disposition of Prohibited Goods. Prohibited goods as

provided in Section 118 except paragraph (d) thereof and goods suitable for

shelter, foodstuffs, clothing materials or medicines shall be destroyed in a

10
11
12

manner as the District Officer deems appropriate.

SEC. 1147. Disposition of Restricted Goods. - Restricted goods as
described in Section 119 shall be disposed as follows:

13

(a) Dynamite, gunpowder, ammunitions and other explosives, firearms

14

and weapons of war, and parts thereof shall be turned over to the Armed Forces

15

of the Philippines (AFP);

16

(b) Roulette wheels, gambling outfits, loaded dice, marked cards,

17

machines, apparatus or mechanical devices used in gambling or the distribution

18

of money, cigars, cigarettes, or other goods when such distribution is dependent

19

on chance, including jackpot and pinball machines or similar contrivances, or

20

parts thereof shall be turned over to Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation

21

(PAGCOR);

22
23

(c) Lottery and sweepstakes tickets, except advertisements thereof, and

lists of drawings therein shall be destroyed.

24

(d) Marijuana, opium, poppies, coca leaves, heroin, or other narcotics or

25

synthetic drugs which are or may hereafter be declared habit forming by the

26

President of the Philippines, or any compound, manufactured salt, derivative, or

27

preparation thereof, shall be turned over to the Dangerous Drugs Board;

28
29

(e) Opium pipes and parts thereof, of whatever material, shall be turned
over to the Dangerous Drugs Board; and
110

(f) All other restricted goods which are highly dangerous to be kept or

handled shall be destroyed. Otherwise, the restricted goods shall be turned over

to the proper government agency for appropriate handling.

SEC. 1148. Disposition of Regulated Goods. Regulated goods shall

be disposed of in a manner to be determined by the appropriate regulatory

agency. In the event that the regulatory agency allows the disposition of the

regulated goods with commercial value and capable of legitimate use, these shall

be disposed of in accordance with Section 1140.

SEC. 1149. Disposition of Unsold Goods for Want of Bidders.

10

Goods subject to sale at public auction by the Bureau shall be sold at a price not

11

less than the landed cost of the goods adjusted for normal depreciation.

12

Goods which remain unsold after at least two (2) public biddings either

13

due to the lack of bidders or for the lack of an acceptable bid, may be donated to

14

another government agency or declared for official use of the Bureau. If the

15

goods are not suitable either for official use or donation, these may be subject to

16

re-export as government property or sold through a negotiated sale. In case of

17

negotiated sale, the same shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of

18

Finance and executed in the presence of a representative of the Commission on

19

Audit (COA). For purposes of donating the goods as above described goods

20

suitable for shelter or consisting of food stuffs, clothing materials or medicines

21

may be donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

22
23

SEC. 1150. Disposition of Smuggled Goods.

Smuggled goods,

when forfeited, shall be disposed of as provided in Section 1148 of this Act.

24

SEC. 1151. Forfeiture Fund. All proceeds from public auction sales

25

after deduction of the charges as provided in Section 1143 shall be deposited in

26

an account to be known as forfeiture fund.

27

The Fund shall be in the name of and shall be managed by the Bureau

28

which is hereby authorized, subject to the usual government accounting rules

29

and regulations, to utilize it for the following purposes:

111

(a) to outsource, subject to the rules on government procurement

established by law, the management of the inventory, safekeeping, maintenance

and sale of goods enumerated in Section 1138 of this Act to private service

providers:

supervision over these goods as well as the operations of the service provider so

contracted;

Provided, That the Bureau shall retain jurisdictional control and

(b) to facilitate customs abandonment and forfeiture proceedings and the

disposition of goods under Section 1138, particularly those to be disposed of

other than through public sale;

10
11
12
13
14
15

(c) to enhance customs intelligence and enforcement capability to prevent

smuggling; and
(d) to support the modernization program and other operational efficiency
and trade facilitation initiatives of the Bureau.
The DOF and the DBM shall, upon the recommendation of the Bureau,
issue a joint regulation to implement the provisions of this Section.

16

TITLE XII

17

THIRD PARTIES

18

CHAPTER 1

19

CUSTOMS SERVICE PROVIDERS

20

SEC. 1200. Customs Service Providers. Except customs brokers,

21

upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, the Secretary of Finance shall

22

issue the necessary rules and regulations for the registration and the

23

accreditation of other customs service providers to ensure compliance with this

24

Act and the rules and regulations that shall be promulgated to implement it.

25

SEC. 1200-A. Services of Customs Brokers. For the first three (3)

26

years upon the effectivity of this Act, import entry shall be signed by a customs

27

broker and the consignee/owner/importer under oath based on the covering

28

document submitted by the importer as provided in RA 9280 as amended:

29

Provided, That after three years, the President, upon recommendation of the
112

Secretary of Finance shall review the need for the mandatory services of

customs broker consistent with international standards and customs best

practices.

CHAPTER 2

CARRIERS, VESSELS, AND AIRCRAFTS

SEC. 1201. Ports Open to Vessels and Aircrafts Engaged in Foreign

Trade. Vessels and aircrafts engaged in foreign trade shall visit designated

ports of entry only except as otherwise especially allowed by law. Every vessel or

aircraft arriving within a Customs District of the Philippines from a foreign port

10

shall dock at the designated port of entry and shall be subject to the authority of

11

the District Officer of the port while within its jurisdiction.

12

SEC. 1202. Control of Customs Officer Over Boarding or Leaving of

13

Incoming Vessel and Over Other Vessel Approaching the Former. Upon

14

the arrival in port of any vessel engaged in foreign trade, it shall be unlawful for

15

any person, except the pilot, consul, quarantine officers, customs officers, or

16

other duly authorized persons, to board or leave the vessel without permission of

17

the customs officer concerned. It shall likewise be unlawful for any tugboat,

18

rowboat, or other craft to go alongside such vessel and for any person so

19

authorized to board the vessel to take any unauthorized person to board the

20

same, or allow loitering near or alongside such vessel. Unauthorized tugboats

21

and other vessels shall keep away from such vessel engaged in foreign trade at

22

a distance of not less than fifty (50) meters.

23

SEC. 1203. Documents to be Produced by the Master Upon Entry of

24

Vessel. Upon entry of a vessel engaged in foreign trade, the master thereof

25

shall present the following certified documents to the customs boarding officers:

26

(a) the vessels general declaration;

27

(b) the original manifest of all cargoes destined for the port, to be returned

28

with the endorsement of the boarding officers;

113

(c) three (3) copies of the original manifest, one of which, upon

certification by the boarding officer as to the correctness of the copy, shall be

returned to the master;

(d) a copy of the cargo stowage plan;

(e) two (2) copies of the store list;

(f) one (1) copy of the passengers list;

(g) one (1) copy of the crew list;

(h) the original copy of all through cargo manifest, for deposit with the

customs officer who has jurisdiction over the vessel while in port;

10

(i) the passengers manifest containing the names of all aliens, in

11

conformity with the requirements of the immigration laws in force in the

12

Philippines;
(j) one (1) copy of the original duplicate of fully accomplished bill of

13
14

lading;

15

(k) the shipping goods and register of the vessel of Philippine registry; and

16

(l) such other related documents.

17

SEC. 1204. Manifest Required of Vessel from Foreign Port. Every

18

vessel from a foreign port must have on board a complete manifest of all its

19

cargoes.

20

All cargoes intended to be landed at a port in the Philippines must be

21

described in separate manifests for each port of call. Each manifest shall include

22

the port of departure and the port of delivery with the marks, numbers, quantity,

23

and description of the packages and the names of the consignees. Every vessel

24

from a foreign port must have on board complete manifests of passengers and

25

baggage, in the prescribed form, setting forth the destination and all particulars

26

required by immigration laws. Every vessel shall present to the proper customs

27

officers upon arrival in ports of the Philippines a complete list of all sea stores

28

then on board. If the vessel does not carry cargo or passengers, the manifest

114

must show that no cargo or passenger is carried from the port of departure to the

port of destination in the Philippines.

A true and complete copy of the cargo manifest shall be electronically sent

in advance by the shipping company, NVOCC, freight forwarder, cargo

consolidator, or their agents within the cut-off period as may be determined by

the Bureau before the arrival of the carrying vessel at the port of entry. Upon

arrival of the carrying vessel, the shipping company, NVOCC, freight forwarder,

cargo consolidator, or their agents shall provide two (2) hard copies of the cargo

manifest to the Bureau in case the port of entry is either the Port of Manila (PoM)

10

or the Manila International Container Port (MICP), and one (1) copy only in the

11

case of the other ports of entry.

12

A cargo manifest shall in no case be changed or altered after entry of

13

vessel, except by means of an amendment, under oath,

by the master,

14

consignee or agent thereof, which shall be attached to the original manifest:

15

Provided, That after the invoice and/or entry covering an importation has been

16

received and recorded in the office of the appraiser, no amendment of the

17

manifest shall be allowed, except when it is obvious that a clerical error or any

18

other discrepancy has been committed in the preparation of the manifest, without

19

any fraudulent intent, the discovery of which would not have been made until

20

after examination of the importation has been completed.

21

SEC. 1205. Translation of Manifest. The cargo manifest and each

22

copy thereof shall be accompanied by a translation in English, if originally written

23

in another language.

24

SEC. 1206. Manifests for the Commission on Audit and District

25

Officer. Upon arrival of a vessel from a foreign port, the Bureau shall provide

26

electronic copies of the manifest to the Chairperson of the COA. The master

27

shall immediately present to the District Officer the original copy of the cargo

28

manifest properly endorsed by the boarding officer, and for inspection, the ships

115

register, or other documents in lieu thereof, together with the clearance and other

papers granted to the vessel at the port of departure for the Philippines.

SEC. 1207. Production of Philippine Crew. The master of a

Philippine vessel returning from abroad shall produce the entire crew listed in the

vessels shipping crew manifest. If any member is missing, the master shall

produce proof satisfactory to the District Officer that the member has died, or

absconded, has been forcibly impressed into another service, or has been

discharged. In case of discharge in a foreign country, the master shall produce a

certificate from the consul, vice consul, or consular agent of the Philippines there

10

residing, showing that such discharge was effected with the consent of the

11

aforesaid representative of the Philippines.

12

SEC. 1208. Record of Arrival and Entry of Vessels and Aircraft. A

13

record shall be made and kept open to public inspection in every Customs

14

District of the date of arrival and entry of all vessels and aircraft.

15

SEC. 1209. Arrest of Vessel or Aircraft Departing Before Entry

16

Made. When a vessel or aircraft arriving within the limits of a Customs District

17

from a foreign port departs or attempts to depart before entry shall have been

18

made, not being thereunto compelled by stress of weather, duress of enemies, or

19

other necessity, the District Officer of the port may cause the arrest and bring

20

back such vessel or aircraft to the most convenient port with assistance of other

21

concerned agencies.

22

SEC. 1210. Discharge of Ballast.

When not brought to port as

23

goods, ballast of no commercial value may be discharged upon permit granted

24

by the District Officer for the purpose.

25

SEC. 1211. Time of Unloading Cargo. Unloading of cargo from a

26

vessel or aircraft from a foreign port during official nonworking hours shall be

27

allowed subject to payment of service fees by shipping lines, airlines, or other

28

interested parties at rates prescribed by the Commissioner.

116

SEC. 1212. Entrance of Vessel through Necessity. When a vessel

from a foreign port is compelled, by stress of weather or other necessity to put

into any other port than that of its destination, the master within twenty-four (24)

hours after its arrival, shall make a protest under oath setting forth the causes or

circumstances of such necessity. This protest, if not made before the District

Officer, must be produced and lodged with the District Officer.

Within the same time, the master shall make a report to the District Officer

if any part of the cargo was unloaded from necessity or lost by casualty before

arrival, and produce sufficient proof to the District Officer of such necessity or

10

casualty before the latter who shall give the approval thereto and the unloading

11

shall be deemed to have been lawfully effected.

12

SEC. 1213. Unloading of Vessel in Port from Necessity.

If a

13

situation arises where the unloading of the vessel is required pending sojourn in

14

port, the District Officer shall, upon sufficient proof of the necessity, grant a

15

permit therefore, and the goods shall be unloaded and stored under the

16

supervision of customs officers.

17

At the request of the master of the vessel or the owner thereof, the District

18

Officer may grant permission to enter the port and pay duties, taxes, and other

19

charges on, and dispose of, such part of the cargo as may be perishable in

20

nature or as may be necessary to defray the expenses attending the vessel.

21

Upon departure, the cargo, or a part thereof, may be reloaded on board

22

the vessel, and the vessel may proceed with the same to its destination, subject

23

only to the charge for storing and safekeeping of the goods and the fees for

24

entrance and clearance. No port charges shall be collected on vessels entering

25

through stress of weather, duress or other urgent necessities.

26

SEC. 1214. Entry

and

Clearance

of

Vessels

of

Foreign

27

Government. The entry and clearance of transport or supply ship of a foreign

28

government shall be in accordance with the agreement by and between the

29

Philippines and the foreign government.

117

SEC. 1215. Clearance of Vessel for Foreign Port.

Before a

clearance shall be granted to any vessel bound to a foreign port, the master or

the agent thereof shall present to the District Officer the following properly

authenticated documents:

5
6

(a) a bill of health from the quarantine officer or officer of the public health
service in the port;

(b) three (3) copies of the manifest of export cargo, one of which, upon

certification by the customs officer as to the correctness of the copy, shall be

returned to the master;

10
11

(c) two (2) copies of the passengers list, showing alien and other
passengers;

12

(d) the register and shipping goods, if the vessel is of Philippine registry;

13

(e) clearance issued by the last port of entry; and

14

(f) a certificate from the Philippine Postal Corporation to the effect that it

15

received timely notice of the sailing of the vessel: Provided, That the District

16

Officer shall not permit any vessel to sail for a foreign port if the master or agent

17

thereof refuses to receive bags of mail delivered to the same by the Philippine

18

Postal Corporation for transport upon reasonable compensation. In case the

19

Postmaster General and the master or agent do not come to an agreement

20

concerning the amount of the compensation to be paid for the carriage of the

21

mail, the matter shall be submitted for decision to a Board of Referees to be

22

composed of three (3) members appointed, respectively, by the Philippine Postal

23

Corporation, the agency of the company to which the vessel concerned belongs,

24

and the Bureau, who shall fix a reasonable rate of compensation.

25

SEC. 1216. Detention of Warlike Vessel Containing Arms and

26

Munitions. District Officers shall report to the proper authorities or detain any

27

vessel of commercial registry manifestly built for warlike purposes and about to

28

depart from the Philippines with a cargo consisting principally of arms and

29

munitions of war, when the number of men shipped on board or other

118

circumstances render it probable that such vessel is intended to be employed by

the owner or owners to cruise or commit hostilities upon the subjects, citizens, or

property of any foreign principality or state, or of any colony, District, or people

with whom the Philippines is at peace, until the decision of the President of the

Philippines is rendered thereon, or until the owner or owners shall give a

security, in double the value of the vessel and cargo, that it will not be so

employed, if in the discretion of the District Officer such security will prevent the

violation of the provisions of this Section.

SEC. 1217. Oath of Master of Departing Vessel. The master of a

9
10

departing vessel shall state under oath that:

(a) All cargoes conveyed on the vessel, destined for the Philippines, have

11
12

been duly discharged or accounted for;

(b) A true copy of the outgoing cargo manifest has been furnished to the

13
14

Bureau;

15

(c) No letters or packets, not enclosed in properly stamped envelope

16

sufficient to cover postage, have been received or will be conveyed, except those

17

relating to the vessel; and that all mails placed on board the vessel before its last

18

clearance from the Philippines have been delivered at the proper foreign port;

19

and

20

(d) If clearing without passenger, the vessel will not carry upon the

21

instant voyage, from the Philippine port, any passenger of any class, or other

22

person not entered upon the ships declaration.

23

SEC. 1218. Extension of Time for Clearance. At the time of

24

clearance, the master of a departing vessel shall be required to indicate the time

25

of intended departure, and if the vessel should remain in port forty-eight (48)

26

hours after the time indicated, the master shall report to the District Officer for an

27

extension of time of departure, and without such extension the original clearance

28

shall be nullified.

119

SEC. 1219. Advance Notice of Aircraft Arrival. (a) Nonscheduled

Arrivals. Before an aircraft comes into any area in the Philippines from any

place outside thereof, a timely notice of the intended flight shall be furnished to

the District Officer or other customs officer-in-charge at or nearest the intended

place of first landing, and to the quarantine and immigration officers-in-charge at

or nearest such place of landing. If dependable facilities for giving notice are not

available before departure, the use of any radio equipment shall be appropriate

as long as it will result in the giving of adequate and timely notice of the aircrafts

approach, otherwise landing shall be made at a place equipped with navigational

10

facilities. If, upon landing in any area, the government officers have not arrived,

11

the

12

thereon intact and keep the passengers and crew members in a segregated

13

place until the inspecting officers arrive.

14

pilot-in-command shall hold the aircraft and any baggage and goods

(b)

Scheduled Arrivals. Such advance notice will not be required in

15

the case of an airline arriving in accordance with the regular schedule filed with

16

the District Officer for the Customs District in which the place of first landing area

17

is situated, and also with the quarantine and immigration officers in charge of

18

such place.

19

SEC. 1220. Landing at International Airport of Entry. Except in

20

case of emergency or forced landings, aircraft arriving in the Philippines from any

21

foreign port or place shall make the first landing at an international airport of

22

entry, unless permission to land elsewhere other than at an international airport

23

of entry is first obtained from the Commissioner. In such cases, the owner,

24

operator, or person in charge of the aircraft shall pay the expenses incurred in

25

inspecting the aircraft, goods, passengers, and baggage carried thereon, and

26

such aircraft shall be subject to the authority of the District Officer at the airport

27

while within its jurisdiction.

28

Should an emergency or forced landing be made by an aircraft coming

29

into the Philippines at a place outside the jurisdiction of the latter, the pilot-in120

command shall not allow goods, baggage, passenger, or crew member to be

removed or to depart from the landing place without permission of a customs

officer, unless such removal or departure is necessary for purposes of safety,

communication with customs officers, or preservation of life, health, or property.

As soon as practicable, the pilot-in-command, or a member of the crew-in-

charge, or the owner of the aircraft, shall communicate with the customs officer

at the intended place of first landing or at the nearest international airport or other

customs port of entry in the area and make a full report of the circumstances of

the flight and of the emergency or forced landing.

10

SEC. 1221. Report of Arrival and Entry of Aircraft.

The pilot-in-

11

command of any aircraft arriving from a foreign port or place shall immediately

12

report its arrival to the District Officer at the airport of entry or to the customs

13

officer detailed to meet the aircraft at the place of first landing. Upon arrival, such

14

aircraft shall be boarded by a quarantine officer, and after pratique or health

15

clearance is granted, shall be boarded by a customs officer; subsequently no

16

person shall be permitted to board or leave the aircraft without the permission of

17

the customs officer. The pilot-in-command or any other authorized agent of the

18

owner or operator of the aircraft shall make the necessary entry. No such aircraft

19

shall, without previous permission from the District Officer, depart from the place

20

of first landing or discharge goods, passengers, or baggage.

21

SEC. 1222. Documents Required in Making Entry for Aircraft. (a)

22

For the purpose of making entry, there shall be presented to the boarding

23

customs officer four (4) copies of a general declaration which shall contain the

24

following data, unless any of such data is otherwise presented on a separate

25

official form:

26
27

(1) Name of owner or operator of aircraft, registration marks and

nationality of aircraft, and flight number of identification;

28

(2) Points of clearance and entry, and date of arrival;

29

(3) Health and customs clearance at the last airport of departure;

121

1
2

(4) Itinerary of aircraft, including information as to airport of origin and

departure dates;

(5) Names and nationality of crew members;

(6) Passengers manifest showing places of embarkation and destination;

(7) Cargo manifest showing information as to airway bill number, the

number of packages related to each airway bill number, nature of goods,

destination, and gross weight, together with a copy of each airway bill securely

attached thereto;

(8) Store list; and

10

(9) And such other documents as may be required by the Bureau.

11

(b) The general declaration shall be written in English and duly signed by

12

the pilot-in-command or operator of the aircraft, or the authorized agent. The

13

section on Health, however, shall be signed only by the pilot-in-command or

14

when necessary, by a crew member when the general declaration itself has been

15

signed by a non-crew member. If the aircraft does not carry cargoes or

16

passengers, such facts must be shown in the manifest.

17

(c) A cargo manifest shall in no case be changed or altered after entry of

18

the aircraft, except by means of an amendment by the pilot-in-command or

19

authorized agent thereof, under oath, and attached to the original manifest:

20

Provided, That after the invoice and/or entry covering an importation have been

21

received and recorded in the office of the appraiser, no amendment shall be

22

allowed except when it is obvious that a clerical error or any other discrepancy

23

has been committed without any fraudulent intent in the preparation of the

24

manifest, the discovery of which could not have been made until after complete

25

examination of the importation.

26

SEC. 1223. Manifest for the Commission on Audit(COA) and District

27

Officer. Upon arrival of an aircraft from a foreign port, the Bureau shall provide

28

electronic copies of the manifest to the Chairperson of the COA. The master

29

shall immediately present to the District Officer the original copy of the cargo
122

manifests properly endorsed by the boarding officer, and for inspection, the

aircrafts register or other documents in lieu thereof, together with the clearance

and other papers granted to the aircraft at the port of departure for the

Philippines.

SEC. 1224. Clearance of Aircraft for Foreign Port. (a) Any aircraft

bound to a foreign port shall, before departure, be granted clearance by the

Commissioner at an airport of entry where such aircraft has been authorized to

make its landing; and

(b)

Before clearance shall be granted to an aircraft bound to a foreign

10

port, there shall be presented to the District Officer or to the customs officer

11

detailed at the place of departure four (4) copies of a general declaration signed

12

by the pilot-in-command or authorized agent of an aircraft which shall contain the

13

following data:

14
15

(1) name of owner or operator of aircraft, registration marks and

nationality of aircraft, and flight number of identification;

16

(2) port of clearance, data thereof and destination;

17

(3) health and customs clearance;

18

(4) itinerary of aircraft, including information as to airport of destination

19

and departure date;

20

(5) names and nationality of crew members;

21

(6) passengers manifest showing places of destination;

22

(7) export cargo manifest showing information as to airway bill number,

23

the number of packages related to each airway bill number, nature of

24

goods, destination, and gross weight, together with a copy of each

25

airway bill securely attached thereto; and

26

(8) store list showing stores loaded.

27

SEC. 1225. Oath of Person in Charge of Departing Aircraft. The

28

pilot-in-command or authorized agent of such departing aircraft shall also state

29

under oath to the effect that:

123

1
2

(a) all cargoes conveyed on the aircraft destined to the Philippines have
been duly discharged and accounted for; and

(b) the aircraft has not received nor will convey any letter or packet not

enclosed in properly stamped envelope sufficient to cover postage, except those

relating to the cargo of the aircraft, and that there was delivery to the proper

foreign port of all mails placed on board said aircraft before clearance from the

Philippines.

8
9

If an aircraft is cleared to depart without passengers, the aircraft shall not

carry any passenger thereon.

10

A record shall be made and kept open to public inspection in every

11

customs office at an airport of entry of the dates of arrival and entry of all aircraft.

12

CHAPTER 3

13

OTHER THIRD PARTIES

14

SEC. 1226. Supervision and Regulation of Third Parties. Third

15

parties transacting with the Bureau in behalf of importers and consignees shall

16

be treated equally as true importers or consignees.

17
18

Third parties transacting with the Bureau shall be liable for acts committed
in violation of this Act and related laws.

19

Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, the Secretary of Finance

20

shall issue rules and regulations to govern and regulate the conduct of all third

21

parties dealing directly with the Bureau in relation to the importation, exportation,

22

movement, storage and clearance of goods for and in behalf of another person.

23

The rules and regulations shall provide for specific conditions when third parties

24

may or may not directly transact with customs and shall provide a written notice

25

in case such third parties are, for valid reasons, barred from transacting with the

26

Bureau. For purposes of this Section, third parties refer to logistics providers,

27

importers, exporters, carriers, airlines, shipping lines, shipping agents,

28

forwarders, consolidators, port and terminal operators, and warehouse operators.

124

CHAPTER 4

AUTHORIZED ECONOMIC OPERATORS (AEO)

SEC. 1227. Treatment of AEOS. The Bureau shall promulgate the

necessary procedures and requirements for the compliance of authorized

economic operators (AEOs). For AEOs who have displayed diligence in

complying with the rules and the submission of official customs requirements,

and have satisfactorily managed their commercial records, the Bureau shall

extend the following incentives:

(a) release of the goods upon provision of the minimum information

10

necessary to identify the goods and permit the subsequent completion of the final

11

goods declaration;

12
13
14

(b) grant of clearance of the goods at the declarants premises or another

place authorized by the Bureau; and
(c) other special procedures such as:

15

(i) allowing a single goods declaration for all imports or exports in a

16

given period where goods are imported or exported frequently by

17

the same person;

18

(ii) use of commercial records to self-assess their duty and tax liability

19

and, where appropriate, to ensure compliance with other customs

20

requirements; and

21

(iii) allowing the lodgement of goods declaration by means of an entry

22

in the records by the authorized person to be supported

23

subsequently by a supplementary goods declaration.

24
25

SEC. 1228. Trade Facility For AEO. The Secretary of Finance shall,
upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, issue the necessary rules:

26

(a) To supervise and regulate the conduct and operations of the AEOs,

27

consistent with international best practices, the World Customs Organization

28

(WCO) framework of standards to secure and facilitate global trade, and other

29

international conventions and agreements; and

125

(b) To develop trade facilitation programs for AEOs and other authorized

persons consistent with international best practices and international conventions

and agreements.

TITLE XIII

CUSTOMS FEES AND CHARGES

SEC. 1300. Customs Dues, Fees and Charges.

For services

rendered and documents issued by the Bureau, dues, fees, and charges shall be

collected as may be provided under existing regulations issued by the Secretary

of Finance, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner.

10

SEC. 1301. General Provision on the Authority to Increase or

11

Decrease Dues, Fees and Charges. The Secretary of Finance may, upon the

12

recommendation of the Commissioner, increase or decrease the dues, fees, and

13

charges collectible by the Bureau to protect the interest of the government.

14

TITLE XIV

15

OFFENSES AND PENALTIES

16

CHAPTER 1

17

CRIMES AND OTHER OFFENSES

18

SEC. 1400. Misdeclaration,

Misclassification,

Undervaluation

in

19

Goods Declaration. Misdeclaration as to quantity, quality, description, weight,

20

or measurement of the goods, or misclassification through insufficient or wrong

21

description of the goods or used of wrong tariff heading resulting in a

22

discrepancy in duty and tax to be paid between what is legally determined upon

23

assessment and what is declared, shall be subject to a surcharge equivalent to

24

two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the duty and tax due. No surcharge shall be

25

imposed when the discrepancy in duty is less than ten percent (10%), or when

26

the declared tariff heading is rejected in a formal customs dispute settlement

27

process involving difficult or highly technical question of tariff classification, or

28

when the tariff classification declaration relied on an official government ruling.

126

There is undervaluation when (a) the declared value fails to disclose in full

the price actually paid or payable or any dutiable adjustment to the price actually

paid or payable; or (b) when an incorrect valuation method is used or the

valuation rules are not properly observed, resulting in a discrepancy in duty and

tax to be paid between what is legally determined as the correct value against

the declared value. When the undervaluation is established without need to go

through the formal dispute settlement process provided for in this Act, a

surcharge shall be imposed equivalent to two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the

duty and tax due. No surcharge shall be imposed when the discrepancy in duty

10

is less than ten percent (10%), or the declared value is rejected as a result of an

11

official ruling or decision under the customs dispute settlement process involving

12

difficult or highly technical question relating to the application of customs

13

valuation rules.

14

A discrepancy in duty and tax to be paid between what is legally

15

determined and what is declared amounting to more than thirty percent (30%)

16

shall constitute a probable cause for issuance of a warrant of seizure and

17

distraint.

18

When the misdeclaration, misclassification or undervaluation is intentional

19

or fraudulent, such as when a false or altered document is submitted or when

20

false statements or information are knowingly made, a surcharge shall be

21

imposed equivalent to five hundred percent (500%) of the duty and tax due and

22

that the goods shall be subject to seizure regardless of the amount of the

23

discrepancy without prejudice to the application of fines or penalties provided

24

under Section 1401 of this Act against the importer and other person or persons

25

who willfully participated in the fraudulent act.

26

SEC. 1401. Unlawful Importation or Exportation. Any person who

27

shall fraudulently import or export or bring into or outside of the Philippines any

28

goods, or assist in so doing, contrary to law, or shall receive, conceal, buy, sell,

29

or in any manner facilitate the transportation, concealment, or sale of such goods

127

after importation, or shall commit technical smuggling as defined in this Act shall

be penalized by:

a. imprisonment of not less than thirty (30) days and one (1) day but not

more than six (6) months or a fine of not less than Twenty five thousand pesos

(P25,000.00) but not more than Seventy five thousand pesos (P75,000.00), or

both, if the value to be determined in the manner prescribed under this Act,

including duties and taxes, of the goods unlawfully imported does not exceed

Two hundred fifty thousand pesos (P250,000.00);

b. imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day but not

10

more than one (1) year, or a fine of not less than Seventy five thousand pesos

11

(P75,000.00)

12

(P150,000.00),or both, if the value of the goods unlawfully imported, to be

13

determined in the manner prescribed under this Act, including duties and taxes,

14

exceeds Two hundred fifty thousand pesos (P250,000.00) but not more than Five

15

hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00);

but

not

more

than

One

hundred

fifty

thousand

pesos

16

c. imprisonment of not less than one (1) year and one (1) day but not

17

more than three (3) years, or a fine of not less than One hundred fifty thousand

18

pesos (P150,000.00) but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos

19

(P300,000.00), or both, if the appraised value of the goods unlawfully imported,

20

to be determined in the manner prescribed under this Act, including duties and

21

taxes, exceeds Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than

22

One million pesos (P1,000,000.00);

23

d. imprisonment of not less than three (3) years and one (1) day but not

24

more than six (6) years, or a fine of not less than Three hundred thousand pesos

25

(P300,000.00) but not more than One million five hundred thousand pesos

26

(P1,500,000.00),or both, if the appraised value of the goods unlawfully imported,

27

to be determined in the manner prescribed under this Act, including duties and

28

taxes, exceeds One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Five million

29

pesos (P5,000,000.00);
128

e. imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not

more than twelve (12) years, or a fine of not less than One million five hundred

thousand pesos (P1,500,000.00) but not more than Fifteen million pesos

(P15,000,000.00), or both, if the appraised value of the goods unlawfully

imported, to be determined in the manner prescribed under this Act, including

duties and taxes, exceeds Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) but not more than

Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00);

f. imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day but not

more than twenty (20) years, or a fine of not less than Fifteen million pesos

10

(P15,000,000.00) but not more than Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00), or

11

both, if the appraised value of the goods unlawfully imported, to be determined

12

in the manner prescribed under this Act, including duties and taxes, exceeds Fifty

13

million pesos (P50,000,000.00) but not more than Two hundred million pesos

14

(P200,000,000.00).

15

g. If the appraised value of the goods unlawfully imported to be

16

determined in the manner prescribed under this Act, including duties and taxes,

17

exceeds Two hundred million pesos (P200,000,000.00) or if the aggregate

18

amount of the appraised values of

19

importation committed in more than one instance, including duties and taxes,

20

exceeds Two hundred million pesos (P200,000,000.00), the same shall be

21

deemed as a heinous crime and shall be punishable with a penalty of reclusion

22

perpetua and a fine of not less than Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00); and

goods which are the subject of unlawful

23

h. The penalty of prision mayor shall be imposed when the crime of

24

serious physical injuries shall have been committed, and the penalty of reclusion

25

perpetua shall be imposed when the crime of homicide shall have been

26

committed by reason or on the occasion of the unlawful importation.

27

In applying the above scale of penalties, an offender who is an alien shall

28

be deported without further proceedings after serving the sentence. If the

29

offender is a public officer or employee, the penalty which is the next higher in
129

degree shall be imposed in addition to the penalty of perpetual disqualification

from public office, and disqualification to vote and to participate in any public

election. If the offender fails to pay the fine, subsidiary imprisonment shall be

served.

When, upon trial for violation of this Section, the defendant is shown to

have had possession of the goods in question, possession shall be deemed

sufficient evidence to authorize conviction unless the defendant shall explain the

possession to the satisfaction of the court: Provided, That each act of unlawful

importation or exportation shall be deemed as a separate offense: Provided,

10

however, That payment of the tax due after apprehension shall not constitute a

11

valid defense in any prosecution under this Section: Provided, further, That

12

outright smuggling shall also be punishable under this Section: Provided, finally,

13

That the rights and privileges provided in this Act for the importers, consignees,

14

exporters, service providers, third parties and other third parties who committed

15

this offense shall be revoked.

16

SEC. 1402. Failure or Refusal of Party to Give Evidence or Submit

17

Documents for Assessment. When the owner, importer or consignee of any

18

imported goods, or the agent of either, fails or refuses, upon lawful demand in

19

writing by any customs officer to appear, lawfully depose, or submit to

20

examination or to answer any material question or refuses to produce records,

21

accounts or invoices in possession pertaining to the value, classification or

22

disposition of the goods in question and deemed material in assessing the same,

23

the District Officer shall assess a surcharge of twenty percent (20%) on the

24

dutiable value of the goods which is the subject of the importation.

25

SEC. 1403. Other Fraudulent Practices Against Customs Revenue.

26

Any person who makes or attempts to make any entry of imported or exported

27

goods by means of any false or fraudulent statement, document or practice or

28

knowingly and willfully files any false or fraudulent claim for payment of drawback

130

or refund of duties shall, for each act, be punished in accordance with the

penalties prescribed in Section 1401.

SEC. 1404. Failure to Declare Baggage. Whenever dutiable goods

are not declared by any person arriving within the Philippines, such goods shall

be seized and the person may obtain release of such goods, if not imported

contrary to any law upon payment of a surcharge equivalent to thirty percent

(30%) of the landed cost of such goods, in addition to all duties, taxes and other

charges due. Nothing in this Section shall preclude the filing of criminal action

against the offender.

10

SEC. 1405. Vessel,

Seacraft,

or

Aircraft

Departing

Before

11

Undergoing Customs Formalities. Any vessel, seacraft, or aircraft arriving

12

within the limits of a Customs District from a foreign port which departs before

13

undergoing customs formalities, without being compelled to do so by stress of

14

weather, pursuit or duress of enemies, or other necessity, shall be liable for a

15

fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more

16

than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

17

SEC. 1406. Obstruction to Boarding Officer. If the master or pilot-

18

in-command or any member of the complement of any vessel or aircraft arriving

19

at the Philippine port obstructs or hinders any officer from lawfully going on board

20

such vessel or aircraft for the purpose of enforcing this Act, or intentionally

21

causes any officer to be so obstructed or hindered, the vessel or aircraft shall be

22

liable to a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but

23

not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

24

SEC. 1407. Unlawful Boarding or Leaving of Vessel or Aircraft. If

25

upon arrival at the Philippine port, any master of a vessel or pilot-in-command of

26

an aircraft engaged in a foreign trade permits any person to board or leave the

27

vessel or aircraft without the permission of the customs officer-in-charge, the

28

owner or operator of such vessel or aircraft shall be liable for a fine of not less

131

than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Three

hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

SEC. 1408. Unloading of Cargo Before Arrival at Port of Entry. If,

upon the arrival within the limits of any Customs District of the Philippines of any

vessel or aircraft engaged in foreign trade, the master or pilot-in-command

thereof permits any part of the cargo to be unloaded before arrival at the port of

entry, and without authority from a proper customs officer, the owner, operator,

or agent of such vessel or aircraft shall be liable for a fine of not less Five

hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than Two Million pesos

10

(P2,000,000.00): Provided, That no fine shall accrue upon satisfactory proof to

11

the proper District Officer that the unloading was rendered necessary by stress of

12

weather, accident or other necessity: Provided, however, That the fine imposed

13

herein shall be without prejudice to the application of fines or penalties provided

14

under Section 1500 of this Act.

15

SEC. 1409. Unloading of Cargo at Improper Time or Place After

16

Arrival. The owner or operator of any vessel or aircraft from which cargo is

17

discharged upon arrival in the Philippines at a time or place other than that

18

designated by the District Officer, shall be fined not less One hundred thousand

19

pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos

20

(P300,000.00): Provided, That no fine shall accrue upon satisfactory proof to the

21

proper District Officer that the unloading was rendered necessary by stress of

22

weather, accident or other necessity.

23

SEC. 1410. Failure to Exhibit or Deposit Documents. When the

24

master of a vessel or pilot-in-command of an aircraft engaged in foreign trade

25

fails to submit to the District Officer at the time of entry of the vessel or aircraft

26

the register or other documents in lieu thereof, together with the clearance and

27

other documents granted by the customs officers to the vessel or aircraft at the

28

last foreign port of departure, or fails to exhibit any certificate or other documents

29

required to be then exhibited, the owner or operator of such vessel or aircraft

132

shall be liable for a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos

(P100,000.00) but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

SEC. 1411. Bringing of Unmanifested Arms, Explosives or War

Equipment. The owner, operator, or agent of a vessel or aircraft arriving at a

port in the Philippines bearing cargo consisting of

cartridges, dynamite or any other explosives, munitions or equipment of war not

contained in the manifest of the vessel or aircraft, or which are concealed on

board, shall be fined not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00)

but not more than One Million pesos (P1,000,000.00).

firearms, gunpowder,

10

SEC. 1412. Failure to Supply Advance and Requisite Manifests.

11

The failure to transmit the electronic manifest within the time as may be

12

prescribed by the Bureau prior to arrival of the carrying vessel or aircraft at the

13

port of entry shall make the owner, operator, or agent of the vessel or aircraft be

14

liable for a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but

15

not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

16

If the transit time from port of origin to port of entry is at least seventy-two

17

(72) hours, the shipping or forwarding agent of the carrier or the vessel who fails

18

to submit the manifest at least twenty-four (24) hours before entry shall likewise

19

be liable for a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00)

20

but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

21

SEC. 1413. Disappearance of Manifested Goods.

When any

22

package or goods mentioned in the manifest meant to be unloaded at the port of

23

destination is not unloaded upon the arrival of the vessel or aircraft, its agent

24

shall be liable for a fine of not less than One hundred Thousand Pesos

25

(P100,000.00) but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00)

26

unless the disappearance of the package or the goods in question was not due

27

to the negligence of the master of the vessel or pilot-in-command of an aircraft

28

and is explained to the satisfaction of the District Officer.

133

The owner, operator, or agent of a vessel or aircraft shall be liable for the

payment of the same fine when a package or goods listed in the manifest does

not tally materially in character or otherwise with the description thereof in the

manifest.

SEC. 1414. Discrepancy between Actual and Declared Weight of

Manifested Goods. If the gross weight of goods or package described in the

manifest or bill of lading exceeds the declared weight by more than ten percent

(10%), and such discrepancy was due to the negligence of the master or pilot-in-

command, the owner or employee of the vessel or aircraft shall be liable to for a

10

fine of not more than twenty percent (20%) of the value of the package or goods

11

in respect to which the deficiency exists, may be imposed upon the owner,

12

operator or agent of the importing vessel or aircraft.

13

SEC. 1415. Discrepancy with the Masters or Pilots-in-Command

14

Report. When a vessel or aircraft arriving from a foreign port is compelled by

15

necessity to unload in another port other than the port of entry and permission is

16

granted by the District Officer for the unloading of the vessel or aircraft or the

17

delivery of any part of the cargo and it shall be found that there is discrepancy

18

between the cargo unloaded

19

command and such

20

operator or agent of the vessel or aircraft shall be liable for a fine of not less than

21

One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not less than Three hundred

22

thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

and the report of the master or the pilot-in-

discrepancy is not satisfactorily explained, the owner,

23

SEC. 1416. Failure to Report Fraud. A master, pilot-in-command or

24

other officer, owner or agent of any vessel or aircraft trading with or within the

25

Philippines who has knowledge of the commission of fraud that shall result in the

26

loss or diminution of customs revenue but fails to report all information relative

27

thereto to the District Officer shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less six

28

(6) months and one (1) day but not more than one (1) year and shall be liable for

29

a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more
134

than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

If the offender is a

foreigner, the offender shall be deported after serving the sentence.

offender is a public officer or employee, the offender shall suffer additional

penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office, to vote and to

participate in any election. All the benefits due from service in the government,

including the separation and retirement benefits, shall be forfeited.

If the

SEC. 1417. False Statement of Vessels or Aircrafts Destination.

When the master or pilot-in-command of a vessel or aircraft loaded with goods

shall make a false statement as to the next destination of such vessel or aircraft

10

when that information is required by a customs officer, the owner or operator of

11

such vessel or aircraft shall be liable for a fine of not less than One hundred

12

thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Three hundred thousand

13

pesos (P300,000.00). The arrival of a vessel or aircraft at a different port other

14

than the one it had been originally authorized and cleared for without having

15

been impelled to do so by necessity, shall be prima facie proof that the original

16

statement of the actual destination of the vessel or aircraft was false.

17

SEC. 1418. Affixing Seals. Any person who, without authority affixes

18

or attaches a customs seal, fastening, or any mark, or fastening purporting to be

19

a customs seal, to any vessel, aircraft, vehicle, warehouse, or package, shall be

20

penalized with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day but

21

not more than one (1) year, and shall be liable for a fine of not less than One

22

hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Three hundred

23

thousand pesos (P300,000.00). If the offender is an alien, the offender shall be

24

deported after serving the sentence. If the offender is a public officer or

25

employee, the offender shall suffer an additional penalty of perpetual

26

disqualification to hold public office and disqualification from exercising the right

27

to vote and to participate in any election.

28

SEC. 1419. Breaking of Seal Placed by Customs Officers. If any

29

seal placed by a customs officer upon any vessel or aircraft or compartment

135

thereof, or upon any box, trunk or other package of goods on board is broken,

the owner, operator, or agent of the vessel or aircraft shall be liable for a fine of

not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than

Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) for each broken or destroyed

seal.

SEC. 1420. Breaking of Lock or Fastening Placed by Customs

Officers. If any lock or other fastening device placed by a customs officer

upon any hatch door, or other means of communication in the hold of a vessel or

aircraft, or other part thereof for the security of the same during the night time, is

10

unlawfully opened, broken or removed, or if any of the goods contained in the

11

hold or in the other compartments so secured is clandestinely abstracted and

12

landed, the owner, operator, or agent of the vessel or aircraft shall be liable for a

13

fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more

14

than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

15

SEC. 1421. Removal, Breakage, and Alteration of Marks.

Any

16

person who without authority, willfully removes, breaks, injures, or defaces or

17

alters any customs seal or other fastening or mark placed upon any vessel,

18

vehicles, on land, sea or air, warehouse or package containing merchandise or

19

baggage in bond or in customs custody, shall be punished with the penalty

20

prescribed in Section 1420 hereof.

21

SEC. 1422. Unauthorized Withdrawal of Imported Goods from

22

Bonded Warehouse. Any person who causes the unauthorized withdrawal of

23

imported goods stored from a CBW shall be liable for payment of a surcharge of

24

fifty percent (50%) of duties, taxes, customs fees, and charges, found to be due

25

and unpaid. The amount of surcharge shall be added to the duties, taxes, and

26

charges dues on the goods withdrawn. If the delinquency lasts for more than

27

one (1) year, the surcharge shall be increased by twenty-five percent (25%) of

28

the unpaid duties and taxes annually: Provided, That, where the withdrawal is

29

attended with fraud, such as when a fake or altered withdrawal permit is

136

submitted, the warehouse operator shall be held liable under the pertinent

provisions of this Act, without prejudice to the suspension or revocation of the

warehousing privileges granted by the Bureau pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 1423. Removing or Repacking Goods in Warehouse. Any

person who fraudulently conceals, removes, or repacks merchandise in any

warehouse or fraudulently alters, defaces, or obliterates any mark or numbers

placed upon packages deposited in such warehouse, or shall aid or abet any

such acts, shall be punished with the penalties prescribed in Section 1418hereof.

Merchandise so concealed, removed, or repacked, or packages upon

10

which marks, numbers or the values thereof have been so altered, defaced, or

11

obliterated shall be forfeited in favor of the government.

12

SEC. 1424. Removing Goods from Customs Custody. Any person

13

who enters any warehouse, or any vehicle loaded with or containing

14

merchandise with intent to unlawfully remove therefrom any merchandise or

15

baggage in such vessels, vehicle or warehouse or otherwise in customs custody

16

or control, or any person who receives or transports any merchandise or

17

baggage unlawfully removed from any such vessel, vehicle or warehouse, or

18

shall aid or abet such removal, shall suffer the penalties provided in Section 1401

19

hereof.

20

SEC. 1425. Failure to Pay Duties, Taxes and Other Charges. For

21

failure to pay the duties, taxes and other charges of an assessment within fifteen

22

(15) days from date of final assessment, a surcharge of ten percent (10%) of the

23

total assessed amount or balance thereon shall be added and collected, which

24

surcharge shall be increased to twenty-five percent (25%) if the delinquency lasts

25

for more than one (1) year.

26

SEC. 1426. Breach of Security. Upon breach of security required to

27

be filed under this Act, the District Officer, subject to the approval of the

28

Commissioner, may accept in satisfaction thereof a smaller sum than that

29

mentioned in the penalty clause of the security, but in no case less than the
137

amount necessary to indemnify the government for the damage occasioned by

such breach.

SEC. 1427. Failure to Keep Importation Records and Full Access to

Customs Officers. Any person who fails to keep all the records of importations

or books of accounts, business and computer systems and all customs

commercial data in the manner prescribed in this Act, shall be punished with

imprisonment of not less than three (3) years and one (1) day but not more than

six (6) years and/or a fine of One million pesos (P1,000,000.00). This penalty

shall likewise be imposed against importers and brokers who deny an authorized

10

customs officer full and free access to such records, books of accounts, business

11

and computer systems, and all customs commercial data including payment

12

records, without prejudice to the imposition of the administrative sanctions by the

13

Bureau against contumacious importers, including the authority to hold delivery

14

or release of their imported goods.

15

SEC. 1428. Concealment or Destruction of Evidence of Fraud.

16

Any person who willfully conceals or destroys any invoice, book, or document

17

relating to any goods liable to duty after an inspection thereof has been

18

demanded by the District Officer or at any time conceals or destroys any such

19

invoice, book, or document for the purpose of suppressing any evidence of fraud

20

therein contained, shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than three (3)

21

years and one (1) day but not more than six (6) years and shall be liable for a

22

fine of not less than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) but not more

23

than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00.

24
25

SEC. 1429. Other Offenses.

The owner or operator of a vessel,

aircraft or train shall be liable for a fine for the following acts:

26

(a) for anchoring at any dock, pier, wharf, quay, or bulkhead other than a

27

port of entry, a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00)

28

but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) for overseas vessels;

138

(b) for dumping of garbage or slops over the sides of the vessel within

three (3) miles from the nearest coastline, a fine of not less than One million

pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00);

(c) for dumping or causing to spread crude oil, kerosene, or gasoline in

the bay or at the piers within three (3) miles from the nearest coastline, a fine of

not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Ten million

pesos (P10,000,000.00)for each offense;

(d) for loading gasoline or any other petroleum products at a place other

than that designated by the regulations, a fine of not less than Five hundred

10

thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos

11

(P1,000,000.00) for each offense;

12

(e) for causing the emission and spread of harmful gas, fumes and

13

chemicals, a fine of not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not

14

more than Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) for each offense; and

15

(f) for transporting hazardous waste, radioactive waste and other toxic

16

substances as provided under the Basel Convention and Republic Act No. 6969

17

otherwise known as the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes

18

Control Act of 1990, forfeiture of the vessel in favor of the government.

19
20

The fines imposed herein shall be without prejudice to the application of

fines or penalties provided under special laws and regulations.

21

SEC. 1430. Violations of this Act and Rules and Regulations in

22

General. Any person who violates any other provision of this Act or the rules

23

and regulations issued pursuant thereto, shall be penalized with imprisonment of

24

not less than thirty (30) days and one (1) day but not more than one (1) year, or

25

be liable for a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00)

26

but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00), or both. If the

27

offender is an alien, the offender shall be deported after serving the sentence. If

28

the offender is a public officer or employee, the offender shall be disqualified

139

from holding public office, from exercising the right to vote and to participate in

any public election for ten (10) years.

CHAPTER 2

PENALTIES IMPOSED UPON BUREAU EMPLOYEES

SEC. 1431. Statutory Offenses of Officers and Employees. Every

officer, agent, or employee of the Bureau or of any other agency of the

government charged with the enforcement of the provisions of this Act, who shall

be found guilty of any delinquency as described below shall be penalized with

imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than

10

twelve (12) years, and perpetual disqualification to hold public office, from

11

exercising the right to vote and to participate in any public election and a fine of

12

not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), but not more than

13

One million pesos (P1,000,000.00):

14

(a) extortion or willful oppression under color of law;

15

(b) knowingly demanding other or greater sums that are authorized by law

16

or receive any fee, compensation, or reward except as by law prescribed, for the

17

performance of any duty;

18

(c) willfully neglecting to give receipts, as required by law, for any sum

19

collected in the performance of duty, or who willfully neglect to perform any of the

20

duties enjoined by law;

21
22

(d) conspiring or colluding with another or others to defraud the customs

revenue or otherwise violate the law;

23

(e) providing an opportunity for any person to defraud the government of

24

customs revenue or failing to do any act with the intent to enable any person to

25

defraud the government of customs revenue;

26
27

(f) negligently or designedly permitting the violation of the law by any

other person;

140

(g) making or signing for any false entry or entries in any book, making or

signing any false certificate or return in any case where the law requires the

making by them of such entry certificate or return;

4
5

(h) failing to report knowledge or information to their superior officer about

an act or acts of fraud committed in revenue collection as required by law;

(i) demanding or accepting or attempting, without authority, to collect

directly or indirectly as payment or otherwise, any sum of money or other thing of

value for the compromise, adjustment, or settlement of any charge or complaint

for any violation or alleged violation of law;

10

(j) unlawfully disclosing confidential information gained during any

11

investigation or audit, or using such information for personal gain or to the

12

detriment of the government, the Bureau, or third parties.

13

All the benefits due from service in the government, including separation

14

and retirement benefits, of an officer, agent, or employee of the Bureau or of any

15

other agency of the government charged with the enforcement of the provisions

16

of this Act found guilty of the foregoing violations shall be forfeited.

17

SEC. 1432. Failure to Report Fraud. Any employee of the Bureau

18

who has knowledge of any fraud committed against the government pertaining to

19

customs revenue, and who fails to report all information relative thereto to the

20

District Officer, shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than six (6)

21

years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years and a fine of not less

22

than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) but not more than One million

23

pesos (P1,000,000.00).

24

perpetual disqualification to hold public office, to vote and to participate in any

25

election. All the benefits of the offender due from service in the government,

26

including separation and retirement benefits, shall be forfeited.

The offender shall suffer the additional penalty of

27

SEC. 1433. Liability for Other Offenses. - The fines and penalties

28

imposed in this Chapter shall be without prejudice to the application of fines or

29

penalties provided under Chapter 1 of this Title and special laws and regulations.
141

TITLE XV

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 1500. Information, Decisions, and Rulings. The Bureau shall

ensure that all information of general application pertaining to customs, including

revisions or amendments thereto, shall be available to the general public.

SEC. 1501. Period to Issue Ruling. The issuing authority shall act on

the application for ruling within thirty (30) days from receipt of the application and

supporting documents as may be required by regulation. Within three (3) days

from issuance of a ruling, the issuing authority shall notify the requesting party of

10

such ruling.

11

SEC. 1502. Publication and Confidentiality of Certain Information in

12

Ruling. - The Bureau and the Tariff Commission shall regularly publish its rulings

13

in a manner accessible to the public. For this purpose, each application for ruling

14

shall be assigned a title and unique ruling number for easy reference.

15

publication shall contain information on the goods involved, the body or gist of

16

the ruling, particularly the grounds relied upon to support the ruling, but shall

17

exclude the name of the requesting party and other information which by their

18

very nature are confidential, including those which the requesting party indicated

19

in its application as confidential in nature. Except in the context of judicial

20

proceedings, any disclosure of confidential information under this section shall

21

not be made except upon the written consent of the beneficiary of the advance

22

ruling.

The

23

SEC. 1503. Duty of District Officer to Report Rulings to the

24

Commissioner. When any new or unsettled question shall be determined by

25

a District Officer, and if the matter is not otherwise appealed for review in the

26

ordinary course, the District Officer shall notify the Commissioner of the decision

27

and submit an adequate statement of the facts involved.

28

SEC. 1504. Application of Established Ruling or Decision. A ruling

29

or decision of the Commissioner which determines the construction or application

142

of any provision of law imposing customs duties and taxes, and which changes

any existing established valuation, classification, rules of origin and other

customs rules, interpretation or practice shall not take effect until thirty (30) days

after public notice shall have been given in the form of a published decision.

When the ruling or decision favors the taxpayers, it shall become effective

immediately.

SEC. 1505. Authority of Official to Administer Oaths and Take

Testimony. The Commissioner, District Officers and their deputies, and other

customs employees especially deputized by the District Officer shall have

10

authority to administer oaths and take testimony in connection with any matter

11

within the jurisdiction of the Bureau and, in connection therewith, may require the

12

production of relevant papers, documents, books and records in accordance with

13

law.

14

SEC. 1506. General Security. In cases where securities are required

15

to be given under the provisions of the customs and tariff laws, the District

16

Officer, instead of requiring separate special security where transactions of a

17

particular party are numerous, may accept general security extending over such

18

periods of time and covering such transactions of the party in question as may be

19

satisfactory to the District Officer.

20

SEC. 1507. Security.

The Bureau shall prescribe the forms and

21

amount of security required to guarantee the payment of duties and taxes and

22

other obligations provided for in this Act.

23

Any party required to provide security shall have the option to choose from

24

any form of security prescribed by the Bureau. The Bureau may not require

25

security if satisfied that an obligation to the Bureau will be fulfilled, but shall

26

require and accept a general security from declarants who regularly declare

27

goods at different offices in the customs territory under such terms and

28

conditions as may be determined by the Commissioner.

143

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2
3
4

The required amount of security shall be the lowest possible and shall not
exceed the amount of imposable duties, taxes, and charges.
When the obligation under which the security was required has been
satisfied, the security shall be discharged immediately.

SEC. 1508. Customs Service Fees. Customs personnel may be

assigned by a District Officer to render overtime work and other customs

services and shall be paid for such services by the Bureau according to service

fees fixed by the Commissioner and approved by the Secretary of Finance. The

Bureau may charge additional customs service fees, when applicable subject to

10

the rates prescribed under existing rules and regulations.

11

SEC. 1509. Testimony in Writing. When testimony is taken in any

12

proceeding or matter under the authority of the Bureau, either party may require

13

that the testimony shall be made in writing, and when so taken, the written

14

testimony shall be filed in the Office of the District Officer and to be preserved for

15

use or reference until final decision.

16

SEC. 1510. District Officer Not Liable in Respect to Ruling in

17

Customs Cases. Every District Officer or other officials of the Bureau shall not

18

be in any way personally liable on account of any official ruling or decision as to

19

which the person claiming to be aggrieved has the right to obtain either an

20

administrative or judicial review. Except for misdelivery of goods, a District

21

Officer may not, in the absence of abuse of authority, be liable to any person for

22

any loss occasioned either by the official act or the acts of the subordinates.

23

SEC. 1511. Interest Prohibited to be Held by Customs Employees.

24

Any person employed under the authority of the government in the assessment

25

of duties, taxes, fees, and other charges in connection with imports or exports,

26

shall not own, either in whole or in part, any vessel or aircraft or act as attorney,

27

agent or consignee for the owner of any vessel or aircraft or of any cargo loaded

28

on board the vessel or aircraft; and shall not import or be involved, directly or

29

indirectly, in the importation of any goods for sale into the Philippines.
144

SEC. 1512. Reward to Persons Instrumental in the Actual Collection

of Additional Revenues Arising from the Discovery of Violations of this Act.

A cash reward equivalent to twenty percent (20%) of the actual proceeds from

the sale of smuggled goods and confiscated goods or actual collection of

additional revenues shall be given to the customs and non-customs informers or

whistleblowers who are instrumental in the collection of additional revenues

arising from the discovery of violations of this Act in accordance with the rules

and regulations to be issued by the Secretary of Finance.

SEC. 1513. Outsourcing of Non-Sovereign Customs Functions to

10

Private Entities. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Finance, the

11

Bureau may outsource any of its non-sovereign and ancillary function to a

12

qualified and competent private entity in accordance with government rules on

13

service procurement.

14

SEC. 1514. International Standards and Best Practices.

The

15

Bureau may adopt international standards and best practices in customs

16

administration laid down by international agreement or convention pertaining to

17

trade facilitation, supply chain security, and related matters, whether or not the

18

Philippines is signatory to such international agreement or convention.

19

TITLE XVI

20

TARIFF ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY

21

CHAPTER 1

22

TARIFF COMMISSION

23

SEC. 1600. Chief

Officials

of

the

Tariff

Commission

and

24

Qualifications. The officials of the Tariff Commission shall consist of a

25

Chairperson and two (2) Commissioners to be appointed by the President of the

26

Philippines. The Chairperson and the Commissioners shall be natural-born

27

citizens of the Philippines, of good moral character and proven integrity, and

28

who, by experience and academic training possess the necessary qualifications

29

requisite for developing expert knowledge of tariff problems. During their terms of
145

office, the Chairperson and the Commissioners shall not engage in the practice

of any profession, or intervene directly or indirectly in the management or control

of any private enterprise which may, in any way, be affected by the functions of

their office. They shall not be, directly or indirectly, financially interested in any

contract with the government, or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.

SEC. 1601. Appointment

and

Compensation

of

Officials

and

All employees of the Commission shall be appointed by the

Employees.

Chairperson in accordance with the Civil Service Law except as the private

secretaries to the offices of the Chairperson, Commissioners and Executive

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

Director.
SEC. 1602. Official Seal. The Commission is authorized to adopt an
official seal.
SEC. 1603. Functions of the Commission. The Commission shall
exercise the functions to investigate the following:
(a) the administration of, and the fiscal and industrial effects of, this Act
and other related laws of this country currently in force or to be enacted;
(b) the relation between the rates of duty on raw materials and finished or
partly finished products;
(c) the effects of ad valorem and specific duties and of compound specific
and ad valorem duties;
(d) all questions relative

to

the

arrangement

of

schedules and

classification of goods in the several Sections in this Act;

23

(e) the tariff relations between the Philippines and foreign countries,

24

commercial treaties, preferential provisions, economic alliances, the effect of

25

export bounties and preferential transportation rates;

26
27

(f) the volume of importations compared with domestic production and

consumption;

146

(g) conditions, causes and effects relating to competition of foreign

industries with those of the Philippines, including dumping and cost of

production;

(h) the operation and implementation of this Act, including their relation to

the national revenues, their effect upon the industries and labor of the country,

and to submit reports of its investigations as herein provided; and

(i) the nature and composition, and the classification of goods according to

tariff commodity classification and heading number for customs revenue and

other related purposes which information shall be furnished

10

the NEDA, the

Board of Investments (BOI), the BSP, and the Secretary of Finance.

11

SEC. 1604. Assistance to the President and Congress of the

12

Philippines. In order to provide the President and the Congress with the

13

necessary information and assistance regarding matters relating to tariff and

14

tariff-related concerns, it shall be the duty of the Commission to:

15

(a) ascertain conversion costs and costs of production in the principal

16

growing, producing, or manufacturing centers of the Philippines, whenever

17

practicable;

18

(b) ascertain conversion costs and costs of production in the principal

19

growing, producing, or manufacturing centers of foreign countries of goods

20

imported into the Philippines whenever such conversion costs or costs of

21

production are necessary for comparison with those in the Philippines;

22

(c) select and describe representative goods imported into the Philippines

23

similar to, or comparable with, those locally produced; select and describe goods

24

of the Philippines similar to, or comparable with, such imported goods; and

25

obtain and file samples of goods so selected whenever advisable;

26

(d) ascertain import costs of such representative goods so selected;

27

(e) ascertain the selling prices of the grower, producer, or manufacturer in

28

the principal growing, producing, or manufacturing centers of the Philippines, of

29

local goods and, in addition, to ascertain all other facts which will show the
147

difference in, or which affect competition between, goods of the Philippines and

those imported in the principal markets of the Philippines;

(f) ascertain conversion costs and costs of production including effects of

tariff modifications or import restrictions on prices in the principal growing,

producing, or manufacturing centers of the Philippines, whenever practicable;

and

(g) submit annual reports of these to the President and the Congress of

the Philippines, a copy of which shall be furnished the NEDA, the BSP, the DOF,

and the BOI.

10

SEC. 1605. Reports of the Commission.

The Commission shall

11

place at the disposal of the President and any Member of the Congress of the

12

Philippines all information at its command. It shall conduct such investigation

13

and submit reports as may be required by the President and the Congress of the

14

Philippines. It shall likewise report to the President and Congress on the first

15

Monday of December of each year and hereafter, a statement of methods

16

adopted and a summary of all reports made during the year.

17

The Commission or its duly authorized representative shall have access to

18

any document, paper or record, pertinent to the subject matter under

19

investigation, in the possession of any person, firm, co-partnership, corporation,

20

or association engaged in the production, importation, or distribution of goods

21

under investigation, and shall have power to summon witnesses, take testimony,

22

administer oaths, and to issue subpoena duces tecum requiring the production of

23

books, papers, or documents relating to the matter under investigation. The

24

Commission may also request the views, recommendations, and assistance of

25

any government office, agency, or instrumentality who shall be expected to

26

cooperate fully with the Commission.

27

SEC. 1606. Sworn and Verified Statements. The Commission may

28

order the taking of sworn statements at any stage of any proceeding or

148

investigation before it. The sworn statements must be made before a person

authorized to administer oaths.

The Commission is authorized to require any importer, grower, producer,

manufacturer or seller to file with the Commission a statement, under oath, giving

the selling prices in the Philippines of goods imported, grown, produced,

fabricated or manufactured by such person.

SEC. 1607. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Commission

shall promulgate and adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to

carry out the provisions of this Act.

10

CHAPTER 2

11

FLEXIBLE TARIFF

12

SEC. 1608. Flexible Clause. (a) In the interest of the general welfare

13

and national security, and subject to the limitations prescribed under this Act, the

14

President, upon the recommendation of NEDA, is hereby empowered to:

15

(1) increase, reduce, or remove existing protective rates of import duty

16

including any necessary change in classification. The existing rates may be

17

increased or decreased to any level, in one or several stages, but in no case

18

shall the increased rate of import duty be higher than a maximum of one hundred

19

percent (100%) ad valorem;

20
21

(2) establish import quotas or ban imports of any commodity, as may be

necessary; and

22

(3) impose an additional duty on all imports not exceeding ten percent

23

(10%) ad valorem whenever necessary: Provided, That upon periodic

24

investigations by the Tariff Commission and recommendation of the NEDA, the

25

President may cause a gradual reduction of protection levels granted in Section

26

1611 of this Act, including those subsequently granted pursuant to this Section.

27

(b) Before any recommendation is submitted to the President by the

28

NEDA pursuant to the provisions of this Section, except in the imposition of an

29

additional duty not exceeding ten percent (10%) ad valorem, the Commission
149

shall conduct an investigation and shall hold public hearings wherein interested

parties shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to be present, to produce

evidence and to be heard. The Commission shall also hear the views and

recommendations of any government office, agency, or instrumentality. The

Commission shall submit its findings and recommendations to the NEDA within

thirty (30) days after the termination of the public hearings.

(c) The power of the President to increase or decrease rates of import

duty within the limits fixed in subsection (a) shall include the authority to modify

the form of duty. In modifying the form of duty, the corresponding ad valorem or

10

specific equivalents of the duty with respect to imports from the principal

11

competing foreign country for the most recent representative period shall be

12

used as basis.

13

(d) Any order issued by the President pursuant to the provisions of this

14

Section shall take effect thirty (30) days after promulgation, except in the

15

imposition of additional duty not exceeding ten percent (10%) ad valorem which

16

shall take effect at the discretion of the President.

17
18
19
20
21
22

(e) The power delegated to the President as provided for in this Section
shall be exercised only when Congress is not in session.
(f) The power herein delegated may be withdrawn or terminated by
Congress through a joint resolution.
The NEDA shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Section.

23

SEC. 1609. Promotion of Foreign Trade. (a) For the purpose of

24

expanding foreign markets for Philippine products as a means of assisting in the

25

economic development of the country, in overcoming domestic unemployment, in

26

increasing the purchasing power of the Philippine peso, and in establishing and

27

maintaining better relations between the Philippines and other countries, the

28

President, shall, from time to time:

150

1
2

(1)

enter

into

trade

agreements

with

foreign

governments

or

instrumentalities thereof; and

(2) modify import duties, including any necessary change in classification

and other import restrictions as are required or appropriate to carry out and

promote foreign trade with other countries: Provided, That in modifying import

duties or fixing import quota, the requirements prescribed in subsection (a) of

Section 1608 shall be observed: Provided, however, That any modification in

import duties and the fixing of import quotas pursuant to the agreement on

ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and other trade agreements, shall

10

not be subject to the limitations of aforesaid subsection (a) of Section 1608.

11

(b) The duties and other import restrictions as modified in subsection (a)

12

of this Section, shall apply to goods which are the growth, produce, or

13

manufacture of the specific country, whether imported directly or indirectly, with

14

which the Philippines has entered into a trade agreement: Provided, That the

15

President may suspend the application of any concession to goods which are the

16

growth, produce, or manufactured product of the specific country because of acts

17

or policies which tend to defeat the purposes set in this Section, including the

18

operations of international cartels; and the duties and other import restrictions as

19

negotiated shall be in force and effect from and after such time as specified in

20

the order.

21

(c) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to give any authority to

22

cancel or reduce in any manner the indebtedness of any foreign country to the

23

Philippines or any claim of the Philippines against any foreign country.

24

(d) Before any trade agreement is concluded with any foreign government

25

or instrumentality thereof, reasonable public notice of the intention to negotiate

26

an agreement with such government or instrumentality shall be given in order

27

that interested persons may have an opportunity to present their views to the

28

Commission. The Commission shall seek information and advice from the

151

Department of Agriculture (DA), the DENR, the DTI, the DOT, the BSP, the DFA,

the BOI, and from such other sources as it may deem appropriate.

3
4

(e) In advising the President, on a trade agreement entered into by the

Philippines, the following shall be observed:

(1) The Commission shall determine whether or not the domestic industry

has suffered or is being threatened with injury and whether or not the wholesale

prices at which the domestic products are sold are reasonable, taking into

account the cost of raw materials, labor, overhead, a fair return on investment,

and the overall efficiency of the industry.

10
11

(2) The NEDA shall evaluate the report of the Commission and submit
recommendations to the President.

12

(3) Upon receipt of the report of the findings and recommendations of the

13

NEDA, the President may prescribe adjustments in the rates of import duties,

14

withdraw, modify or suspend, in whole or in part, any concession under any trade

15

agreement, establish import quota, or institute such other import restrictions as

16

the NEDA recommends to be necessary in order to fully protect domestic

17

industry and the consumers, subject to the condition that the wholesale prices of

18

the domestic products shall be reduced to, or maintained at, the level

19

recommended by the NEDA unless, for good cause shown, an increase thereof,

20

as recommended by the NEDA, is authorized by the President. Should increases

21

be made without such authority, the NEDA shall immediately notify the President

22

who shall allow the importation of competing products in such quantities as to

23

protect the public from the unauthorized increase in wholesale prices.

24
25
26

(f) This Section shall not prevent the effectivity of any executive
agreement or any future preferential trade agreement with any foreign country.
(g)

The NEDA and the Commission shall promulgate such reasonable

27

procedures, rules and regulations as they may deem necessary to execute their

28

respective functions under this Section.

152

CHAPTER 3

TARIFF NOMENCLATURE AND RATE OF DUTY

SEC. 1610. General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI). The

classification of goods and its tariff nomenclature as provided pursuant to this Act

shall be governed by the following principles:

(1)The titles of Sections, Chapters and Sub-Chapters are provided for

ease of reference only; for legal purposes, classification shall be determined

according to the terms of the headings and any relative Section or Chapter Notes

and, provided such headings or Notes do not otherwise require, according to the

10

following provisions:

11

(2) (a) Any reference in a heading to an article shall be taken to include a

12

reference to that article incomplete or unfinished: Provided, That, as presented,

13

the incomplete or unfinished article has the essential character of the complete

14

or finished article. It shall also be taken to include a reference to that article

15

complete or finished (or falling to be classified as complete or finished by virtue

16

of this Rule), presented unassembled or disassembled.

17

(b) Any reference in a heading to a material or substance shall be taken to

18

include a reference to mixtures or combinations of that material or substance

19

with other materials or substances. Any reference to goods of a given material or

20

substance shall be taken to include a reference to goods consisting wholly or

21

partly of such material or substance. The classification of goods consisting of

22

more than one material or substance shall be according to the principles of Rule

23

3.

24

(3) When by application of Rule 2(b) or for any other reason, goods are,

25

prima facie, classifiable under two or more headings, classification shall be

26

effected as follows:

27

(a) The heading which provides the most specific description shall be

28

preferred to headings providing a more general description. However,

29

when two or more headings each refer to part only of the materials or
153

substances contained in mixed or composite goods or to part only of

the items in a set put up for retail sale, those headings are to be

regarded as equally specific in relation to those goods, even if one of

them gives a more complete or precise description of the goods.

(b) Mixtures, composite goods consisting of different materials or made up

of different components, and goods put up in sets for retail sale, which

cannot be classified by reference to 3(a), shall be classified as if they

consisted of their essential character, insofar as this criterion is

applicable.

10

(c) When goods cannot be classified by reference to 3(a) or 3(b), they

11

shall be classified under the heading which occurs last in numerical

12

order among those which equally merit consideration;

13

(4) Goods which cannot be classified in accordance with the above Rules

14

shall be classified under the heading appropriate to the goods to which they are

15

most akin.

16
17

(5) In addition to the foregoing provisions, the following Rules shall apply
in respect of the goods referred to therein:

18

(a) Camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, drawing

19

instrument cases, necklace cases and similar containers, specially

20

shaped or fitted to contain a specific article or set of articles, suitable

21

for long-term use and presented with the articles for which they are

22

intended, shall be classified with such articles when of a kind normally

23

sold therewith. The Rule does not, however, apply to containers which

24

give the whole its essential character;

25

(b) Subject to the provisions of Rule 5(a), packing materials and packing

26

containers presented with the goods therein shall be classified with the

27

goods if they are of a kind normally used for packing such goods.

28

However, this provision does not apply when such packing materials or

29

packing containers are clearly suitable for repetitive use.

154

(6) For legal purposes, the classification of goods in the subheadings of a

heading shall be determined according to the terms of those subheadings and

any related Subheading Notes and, mutatis mutandis, to the above Rules, on the

understanding that only subheadings at the same level are comparable. For the

purposes of the Rule, the relative Section and Chapter Notes also apply, unless

the context otherwise requires.

SEC. 1611. Tariff Nomenclature and Rates of Import Duty. The

provisions of Section 104 of Presidential Decree No. 1464, otherwise known as

the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines of 1978, as amended, specifically

10

providing for the tariff sections, chapters, headings and subheadings and the

11

rates of import duty, shall still apply. There shall be levied, collected and paid

12

upon all imported goods the rates of duty indicated thereon except as otherwise

13

specifically provided for in this Act: Provided, That the maximum rate shall not

14

exceed one hundred percent (100%) ad valorem.

15

a. The rates of duty provided or subsequently fixed pursuant to Sections

16

1608 and 1609 of this Act shall be subject to periodic investigation by the Tariff

17

Commission and may be revised by the President, upon the recommendation of

18

the NEDA.

19

b. The rates of duty provided shall apply to all products, whether imported

20

directly or indirectly, of all foreign countries, which do not discriminate against

21

Philippine export products. An additional one hundred percent (100%) across-

22

the-board duty shall be levied on the products of any foreign country which

23

discriminates against Philippine export products.

24

SEC. 1612. Tariff Nomenclature and Rates of Export Duty. The

25

provisions of Section 514 of Presidential Decree No. 1464, otherwise known as

26

the Tariff and Customs Code of 1978, as amended, specifically providing for the

27

export products subject to duty and rates, shall still apply.

155

TITLE XVII

CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

SEC. 1700. Congressional

Oversight

Committee.

The

Congressional Customs and Tariff Oversight Committee, herein referred to as

the Committee, is hereby constituted in accordance with the provisions of this

Act. The Committee shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the Committee on

Ways and Means of the Senate and House of Representatives and four (4)

additional members from each House, to be designated by the Senate President

and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The Committee

10

shall, among others, in aid of legislation:

11

(a) monitor and ensure the proper implementation of this Act;

12

(b) review the collection performance of the Bureau; and

13

(c) review the implementation of the programs of the Bureau.

14

In furtherance of the hereinabove cited objectives, the Committee shall

15

require the Bureau to submit all pertinent information which includes:

16

(1) industry audits;

17

(2) collection performance data; and

18

(3) status report on criminal actions initiated against persons.

19

TITLE XVIII

20

FINAL PROVISIONS

21

SEC. 1800. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of

22

Finance shall, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, promulgate the

23

necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

24

SEC. 1801. Transitory

Provisions.

All

suits,

proceedings,

or

25

prosecutions whether civil or criminal, for causes arising or acts done or

26

committed prior to the effectivity of this Act, shall be commenced and prosecuted

27

within the same time in the same manner and with the same effect as if this Act

28

had not been enacted and all rights acquired, offenses committed, and penalties

156

or forfeitures or liabilities waived prior to the said effectivity shall not be affected

thereby.

SEC. 1802. Repealing Clause. Except for Section 104 on Rates of

Import Duty and Section 514 on Export Products Subject to Duty and Rates

which shall remain valid and effective and shall supplement this Act, all other

Sections of Presidential Decree No. 1464, otherwise known as the Tariff and

Customs Code of the Philippines of 1978, as amended, and Presidential Decree

No. 1853 which require any applicant for letter of credit covering imports to

deposit the full amount of duties due on the importation, are hereby expressly

10

repealed. All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and

11

regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby

12

expressly repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

13

SEC. 1803. Separability Clause.

If any provision of this Act is

14

declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts shall

15

remain in full force and effect.

16

SEC. 1804. Effectivity Date. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

17

days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of

18

general circulation.
Approved,

157