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The Bureau of Customs and Land Transportation Office agreed to strengthen coordination on imported vehicle registration
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Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and LTO chief Markus Lacanilao signed a MOA on October 21 that aims to establish a more efficient system linking vehicle importation with registration
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Under the MOA, the agencies will improve data sharing for key documents such as Certificates of Payment, Certificates of Registration, and official receipts
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A joint task force will be formed to lead enforcement operations against unlawfully imported vehicles
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) agreed to strengthen coordination on imported vehicle registration.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and LTO chief Markus Lacanilao signed a memorandum of agreement on October 21 that will establish a more efficient system linking vehicle importation with registration.
“This mutual cooperation with the LTO reinforces our shared goal of ensuring transparency, efficiency, and strict compliance with customs laws and other government regulations. By working together, we want to make sure that every vehicle import and registration process is handled with the highest standards of integrity,” Nepomuceno said in a statement.
LTO, in a separate statement, said the collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both agencies to ensure the timely and accurate exchange of data, streamline the tracking of imported motor vehicles, and curb illegal or fraudulent transactions.
As part of the agreement, the two agencies will improve data sharing for key documents such as Certificates of Payment, Certificates of Registration, and official receipts. They will also form a joint task force to lead enforcement operations against unlawfully imported vehicles, including those misclassified or misdeclared, in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and other related violations.
The MOA is also designed to safeguard the public by helping deter fraudulent practices, curbing unfair competition, and protecting government revenues vital to national development, BOC said.
Within 30 days of signing the MOA, BOC and LTO will form a joint technical working group tasked to develop and implement guidelines for the effective implementation of the agreement.
Further solidifying the partnership formed under the MOA, LTO turned over to BOC one unit of Lamborghini Urus recently intercepted by LTO personnel in the Bonifacio Global City area, allowing the customs bureau to carry out legal and customs processes on the vehicle.
Prior to the signing of the MOA, BOC and LTO in 2021 signed a MOA on data sharing to ensure only vehicles with the proper import clearances and records can be registered for use on the country’s roads.
READ: BOC, LTO share data for proper registration of vehicles
Moreover, BOC is working on the New Electronic Certificate of Payment, an online application system that will trigger submission, processing and transmission of the details of vehicles with paid duties and taxes to LTO.
