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Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno directed the issuance of Notices of Delinquency with Final Demand to importers and consignees with unpaid, unclaimed, or unwithdrawn shipments
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The order follows a June 10 joint inspection with Senator Francis Pangilinan at the Manila International Container Port, where 26 abandoned containers of red onions were found spoiled or sprouting
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District collectors must now submit consolidated reports to the Commissioner’s office every 15 days to track shipment status and collections
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is moving to prevent perishable goods from rotting in port while easing congestion, with commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno warning importers and consignees to fast-track the release of their shipments, the agency said in a statement.
In a recent memorandum, Nepomuceno ordered the issuance of Notices of Delinquency with Final Demand to parties whose cargo remains unpaid, unclaimed, or unwithdrawn beyond the prescribed reglementary periods. The directive is meant to push stakeholders toward immediate compliance with duty and tax payments.
The measure specifically targets food and other easily spoiled items that risk lingering in storage, adding to cargo buildup and worsening port congestion. Importers and consignees are being urged to closely track their shipments, settle duties and taxes without delay, complete documentation requirements on schedule, and arrange for cargo withdrawal as soon as clearance is granted.
Officials say timely action on the part of stakeholders can help prevent spoilage and wastage, keep goods safe for consumption once they reach the market, and free up much-needed port space for incoming shipments.
The policy is also designed to strengthen accountability and standardize procedures across the agency’s Collection Districts, while speeding up cargo clearance overall. Faster processing, BOC said, protects government revenue and keeps supply chains moving so that essential goods reach stores and consumers on time and in good condition.
Onion shipment spoilage prompts move
The initiative was prompted by a joint inspection conducted on June 10 by Nepomuceno and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan at the Manila International Container Port. The inspection uncovered 26 abandoned containers of fresh red onions that had deteriorated after a prolonged stay at the port, with some shipments already showing signs of spoilage and sprouting.
“This is a reminder for importers and consignees to promptly process the release of their shipments. Layunin natin na mapabilis ang cargo clearance habang napoprotektahan ang kita ng pamahalaan at tuloy-tuloy ang daloy ng kalakalan (Our goal is to speed up cargo clearance while protecting government revenue and keep trade flowing),” Nepomuceno said.
“Mahalaga rin na maiwasan ang pagkasira ng mga perishable goods dahil sa delays (It’s also important to avoid wastage of perishable goods because of delays),” he added.
Under the directive, district collectors are required to submit consolidated reports to the Office of the Commissioner through the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group every 15 days. The reports are intended to help the bureau monitor shipments, track collections, and determine the status of goods so appropriate action can be taken.
Nepomuceno said the initiative is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s push for more efficient government services and stronger trade facilitation. He added that the move is expected to reduce port congestion, minimize spoilage and cargo dwell time, improve port utilization, and help ensure that essential goods remain available and affordable for the public.
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