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The Bureau of Customs is prohibiting the use of “customs representatives” in ID cards of customs brokers and their representatives
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The prohibition is intended to avoid confusion with official BOC employees
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Instead, “broker’s representative” or words of similar import may be used, BOC said
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The Enforcement Group deputy commissioner is tasked to implement measures to monitor and remind customs brokers and their representatives to comply with the directive
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IDs found in violation of the directive will be confiscated
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is prohibiting the use of “customs representatives” in identification cards of customs brokers and their representatives to avoid confusion and misinterpretation with official employees of the bureau.
Instead, “broker’s representative” or words of similar import, may be used according to Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) Memo No. 90-2025 dated December 11.
The memo observed that the use by customs brokers and their representatives of the title “customs representatives” in their IDs “have led to instances of confusion and erroneous interpretation that these individuals are, in plain and simple language, employees of and officially represent the Bureau of Customs.”
“To distinguish, Customs Brokers are from the private sector and work with the BOC in releasing shipments of consignees and stakeholders, while BOC personnel officially work for the government. Therefore, it is apparent that the use of ‘Customs Representatives’ by Customs Brokers and their representatives is erroneous and can lead to confusion necessitating the issuance of this prohibitive Memorandum,” OCOM Memo 90-2025 noted.
The Enforcement Group deputy commissioner has been directed to implement measures to monitor and remind customs brokers and their representatives to comply with OCOM Memo No. 90-2025 within five days after publication and posting.
After the five-day period, IDs found in violation of the directive will be confiscated, the memo added.
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