The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Accounts Receivable Monitoring Division (BIR-ARMD) is implementing a schedule for follow-ups for importers and customs brokers seeking accreditation at the agency.
“It has been observed that answering and attending to numerous follow-ups/inquiries are hampering the actions of the limited personnel assigned in the evaluation and processing for BIR-ICCs (Importer Clearance Certificate)/BCCs (Brokers Clearance Certificate),” ARMD chief Rosana San Vicente said in a July 17 advisory.
San Vicente noted the delay in ICC and BCC release is due to the limited BIR personnel assigned to process accreditation.
According to the new accreditation process implemented through Department of Finance Order 12-2014, importers and brokers would have to secure ICCs and BCCs with BIR and then proceed with the second phase of accreditation with the Bureau of Customs.
In order to facilitate processing of applications, BIR ARMD will implement the following schedule of follow ups:
Date applied Date of follow up
March 1 to April 30 July 28 to August 1
May 1 to June 30 August 4-8
June 1-6 August 11-15
June 9-13 August 18-22
June 16-20 August 26-29
June 23-27 September 1-5
July 1-4 September 8-12
July 7-11 September 15-19
July 14-18 September 22-26
July 21-25 September 29 to October 3
July 28-31 October 5-10
ARMD will not entertain follow-ups from July 21-25 to give way to the clean-up of database and updating of status of applications.
At the recently concluded Cargo Transport Summit 2 organized by the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association and PortCalls, San Vicente said follow ups will be handled by another BIR Division to lighten the chores of ARMD.
She said importers and brokers will be notified of approvals or denial of application through electronic mail or the contact number provided by applicants.
As of July 15, San Vicente said ARMD has received 11,000 applications and more than 600 were acted upon.
BOC is reminding brokers and importers to comply with the July 31 deadline because there will be no more extension. – Roumina Pablo
