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The Bureau of Customs is integrating the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-TRACC) System with the Electronic-to-Mobile (E2M) system
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After the integration, BOC personnel may view E-TRACC booking in E2M for easy reference
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The integration will not affect how stakeholders will book E-TRACC
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is integrating the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-TRACC) System with the Electronic-to-Mobile (E2M) system.
Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 17-2022, dated June 16, provides implementing guidelines for the integration.
BOC Deputy Commissioner Allan Geronimo of the Management Information System and Technology Group (MISTG) said in text messages to PortCalls that the integration will allow automatic submission of information to the E2M from E-TRACC when the tracking device is deactivated at the destination.
“As soon as the device is deactivated at the destination port when the container arrives, the date and time will be sent automatically to the E2M,” Geronimo explained.
Once integration is done, the E-TRACC booking may be viewed in the E2M system by BOC personnel for easy reference.
The integration will not affect how stakeholders will book E-TRACC, Geronimo noted.
Through the integration or application programming interface between the E2M and E-TRACC systems, the latter will be able to send given information to the E2M, according to CMO 17-2022.
The information entered in the E-TRACC System will be validated in the E2M system and, if one of the details is not existing or incorrect, the booking will not push through.
The E2M will send an error message to the E-TRACC System and the customs broker or importer/exporter will see a statement that the information does not exist or is incorrect. This should be corrected by the declarant by repeating the procedure provided under CMO 17-2022.
The new order also notes that the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group should ensure that customs brokers, importers, and exporters are fully informed of changes in the operational procedure for booking of containers under the E-TRACC System.
E-TRACC is a web-based system launched by BOC in 2020 to track the inland movement of containerized cargoes during transit and transfer to other customs territories and facilities.
It allows BOC to track, monitor, and audit the location and condition of cargoes, as well as obtain real-time alarms on diversion and tampering of cargoes.
Under CMO 04-2020, which established the E-TRACC System, an electronic customs seal (ECS) is required during the transfer of cargo to a container yard/container freight station or other customs facilities and warehouses (CFW).
READ: BOC orders e-tracking of cargoes in transit
The ECS is also required for transit of cargo bound for free zones, inland customs office, depots, or terminals; transit to customs bonded warehouses (CBW); export of cargo from free zones, inland customs offices, depots or terminals, and CBWs to port of loading; and transfer of shipments for further verification and/or monitoring.
The ECS is a GPS-enabled sealing device or lock that can physically secure a cargo and provide real-time information on its location.
An ECS is required to be affixed to the delivery van for the following movement of bonded goods:
- Transit from the airport of discharge to free zones or CBWs
- Transit from the airport of discharge to another collection district
- Transit from free zones or CBWs to the airport as port of loading for exportation
- Cargo movement to and from one CFW to another, provided that movement is within a five-kilometer radius to and from the airport (e.g. CFW to Cargohaus Inc., TMW or to CFW for express shipment) will be subject to continuous customs underguarding until received
- Transit by land from domestic airport to CBW or free zone and vice versa
Several memos have been issued since 2020 on the gradual inclusion into the system of various economic zones, freeports, and collection districts, as well as for imports, inter-island shipments, and CBWs. BOC also plans to implement the system in all airports of entry.
BOC has also integrated other systems to the E2M as it further computerizes Customs processes.– Roumina Pablo
