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The Bureau of Customs denies accreditation of 46 ghost importers and processed the accreditation of 3,760 importers and customs brokers in the first quarter
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There were 3,106 regular importers, 96 non-regular importers, and 558 licensed customs brokers who applied during the period
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46 offices were found non-existent among 1,195 sites of applicant importers inspected
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Accreditation of 111 importers and 30 customs brokers that have violated provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act were also revoked
The Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Account Management Office (AMO) has denied accreditation of 46 “ghost” or non-existent importers and processed the accreditation of 3,760 importers and customs brokers in the first quarter of 2022.
AMO also revoked or suspended the accreditation of 111 importers and 30 customs brokers after they were found to have violated provisions of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, BOC said in a statement.
Of the 3,760 processed applications, 3,106 were regular importers, 96 were non-regular importers, and 558 were licensed customs brokers. They submitted their applications through BOC’s Customer Care Portal, which allows online processing of applications for accreditation.
A total of 1,195 sites or offices of applicant importers were inspected in January-March by AMO staff, who discovered that 46 of the applicants were non-existent so their applications were denied.
The inspections were meant to ensure the applications were not dummy accounts that may be used for smuggling and other illegal activities.
BOC said that revocation or suspension of accreditation is part of AMO’s duties as it continuously monitors and conducts post-evaluation of importers and customs brokers.
In 2020, AMO shifted to online application in a bid to facilitate the process.
BOC said the online application for accreditation, as well as the establishment of Customer Care Centers in collection districts, “continues to provide expedient service by implementing Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero’s directive of ‘no contact policy’ while promoting trade facilitation.”
In 2021, BOC accredited 16,053 regular importers, 483 non-regular importers, and 2,345 licensed customs brokers.
