MANILA: Bureau of Customs has simplified its role in economic zone processes to ensure adequate security for the goods being transferred from the area.
Customs Deputy Commissioner Agaton Uvero said that the agency has simplified the process of goods transferring between Ecozone Logistics Service Enterprise (ELSE) facilities and locators utilizing the Electronic Zone Transfer System (e-ZTS).
Based on Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 40–2015, Customs employees assigned in Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) shall be limited to:First, approval of general transportation and surety bond (GTSB).
Second, selective examination of goods covered by the electronic zone transfer of document or e-ZTD, both prior to exit from ELSE and upon to specific destination.
Third, support tracking transfer; fourth, support initiation at the earliest possible recovery operation for divided transfer and certification of GTSB; and fifth, support the spot — checking of destination warehouse.
Uvero said the order aims to guarantee that only duly approved goods are withdrawn and transferred from the ecozone as well as avoid goods that may have diverted from the intended destination.
Meanwhile, Uvero said that the implementation of e-ZTS last July have promoted transparency and facilitated transactions among PEZA locators and will further reduce the cost of doing business for the exporters.
“The eZTS will also allow both Customs and PEZA authorities to monitor, in real-time, the transfer and movement of tax-and-duty free goods among the ecozones, thereby reducing the possibility of illegal transfers and withdrawals of goods into the domestic market,” Uvero said.
CMO 40-2015 is one of many steps that are taken by the bureau to be at par with the international Customs standards, he concluded.
