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The Bureau of Customs ordered extended hours at designated examination areas in Manila and other ports experiencing congestion, in anticipation of increased cargo volumes during the Christmas season
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DEA operations will be extended from the regular schedule of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to until 12:00 midnight, effectively immediately
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All BOC collection districts are directed to make the necessary operational arrangements and coordinate with representatives of concerned regulatory agencies to ensure their availability during the extend hours
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has ordered extended designated examination areas (DEA) schedules at Manila and other ports experiencing congestion, in anticipation of increased cargo volumes during the Christmas season.
In Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) No. 118-2026 dated October 30 signed by Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, DEA operations will be extended from the regular schedule of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to until 12:00 midnight, effectively immediately, “to facilitate the timely examination and clearance of shipments.”
All BOC collection districts were directed to make the necessary operational arrangements to accommodate the increased workload, ensure the continuous and efficient conduct of cargo examinations, and prevent unnecessary delays in cargo processing.
They should also coordinate with representatives of concerned regulatory agencies to ensure their availability during the extended examination hours, particularly for shipments requiring their presence during physical examination.
BOC personnel rendering duly authorized services beyond the regular working hours will be granted overtime pay and other additional compensation as may be authorized under existing laws and policies, subject to the availability of funds and compliance with applicable requirements.
Last February, Nepomuceno also directed that cargo examinations should promptly start at 8 a.m. to ensure efficient customs operations.
According to Section 419 of the Republic Act (RA) No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, examination of goods, when required by BOC, should be conducted immediately after the goods declaration has been lodged.
Priority in the examination should be given to live animals, perishable goods, and other goods requiring immediate examination.
Pursuant to internationally accepted standards, BOC may adopt nonintrusive examination of goods, such as the use of x-ray machines.
Physical examination of the goods, meanwhile, shall be conducted when it is directed by the commissioner on account of a derogatory information; the goods are subject to an alert order issued by competent authority; the goods are electronically selected for physical examination; there are issues and controversies surrounding the goods declaration and the import clearance process; or the importer or declarant requests for the examination of the goods.
“Physical examination, when required, shall be conducted in an expeditious manner,” RA No. 10863 noted.
