MANILA: Customs commissioner John Philip Sevilla’s ultimatum for re-exporting of empty foreign containers has been trimmed to 90 days from 150 days.
“Any empty container which is re-exported on or before 30 April 2015, regardless of when it arrived in the Philippines, will not be subject to any duties or taxes previously mandated by CAO 2-97,” the order noted.
Charo Logarta Lagamon, acting chief of BoC’s Public Information and Assistance Division, said in a text message the latest measure seeks to address congestion at the Manila International Container Port and the Port of Manila.
“Overstaying containers have long been a concern of port users. The measure is aimed at declogging the country’s two major ports,” Ms. Lagamon said.
Empty containers that arrived between Jan. 30 and April 30 must be re-exported by July 29, the order stated.
Starting May 1, empty containers should be re-exported within 90 days from the date of the last discharge.
“Containers which have not been re-exported by the deadlines stated… shall be treated as imports. Their owners have the obligation to file import entries and pay duties and taxes for them,” the order stated.
