MANILA: The European Union Ambassador Guy Ledoux, head of the EU delegation to the Philippines, warned that the government should think twice before implementing pre-shipment inspections or port load surveys, which goes against moves to decongest ports.
He was talking to media at the sidelines of the 40th Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Manila.
The statement comes after the announcement from the Bureau of Customs as it plans to implement pre-inspection on all imports to curb smuggling.
But Ledoux, who was among the resource persons at the trade facilitation and custom modernization forum, said it will only result in additional costs of the shipping company.
“He said it would also result in additional delays due to more administrative papers and processes.
In his speech at the forum, Ledoux said the plan goes “against the spirit of the (World Trade Agreement) Trade Facilitation Agreement.”
The ambassador said inspection could be done on a random basis instead of being imposed on all containers. He also suggested that Customs classify shipping companies.
