The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has relaxed requirements in the filing of the import commodity clearance (ICC) to help facilitate trade and decongest Manila ports.
DTI Memorandum Circular No. 14-1571, which took effect October 1, revised some of the provisions for applying for an ICC under DTI Department Order (DAO) No. 5-2008.
An ICC is a document indicating compliance of imported products covered by mandatory standards with applicable standards, as provided for under Republic Act 4109 (“An Act to Convert the Division of Standards Under the Bureau of Commerce into a Bureau of Standards, to Provide for the Standardization and/or Inspection of Products and Imports of the Philippines and for Other Purposes”) and DAO 5-2008.
According to the DTI, an importer applying for an ICC must provide the following:
- Filled-in application form, notarized and filed in three copies
- Bill of lading/airway bill
- Packing list
- Certified true copy of import entry
- Invoice of DTI business registration certificate/Securities and Exchange Commission registration certificate
- Test certificate (if needed)
- Special power of attorney/board resolution (when the ICC application is filed by company-authorized persons with managerial/supervising capability)
Under the new memorandum signed by director-in-charge Atty Ann Clair Cabochan and noted by DTI Undersecretary for the Consumer Protection Group Atty Victorio Mario Dimagiba, the certified true copy of an import entry need not be submitted upon filing of the application, but will instead be required only upon release of the ICC certificate.
In lieu of the required board resolution, a notarized secretary’s certificate clearly setting forth the authority of the person dealing with the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) may be submitted.
Dimagiba told PortCalls in a text message that the provisions will be the “new norm” in applying for ICC, in line with the department’s anti-red tape compliance.
BPS, formerly Bureau of Public Standards, is an office under the DTI mandated to develop, promote, and implement standards and related programs nationwide to ensure that the quality and safety features of covered products comply with such standards. – Roumina Pablo
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