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The E-Travel Customs System simplifies data collection and streamlines customs procedures for Philippine air travelers
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It integrates into one form the border control requirements of Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
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The system was pilot launched at Ninoy Aquino International Terminal Terminal 1 on November 20
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It will be rolled out to other airports soon
The E-Travel Customs System, a unified digital platform that simplifies data collection and streamlines customs procedures for all air travelers at Philippine airports, was launched on November 21.
Piloted at Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 1, the system will soon be implemented in all international airports and applies to all arriving and departing passengers.
The initiative bolsters national security, integrating into one form border control requirements of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), BOC said in a statement.
It combines BOC’s Electronic Customs Baggage Declaration Form and Electronic Currencies Declaration Form into BI’s eTravel System. Its key feature, the Electronic Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration interface, was originally part of the BOC’s I-Declare System introduced on June 29, 2022.
READ: BOC requires travelers, crew to declare cash, baggage online
Developed in collaboration with the BOC, BI, BSP, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the initiative aims to optimize border control, enhance health surveillance, and facilitate economic data analysis, BOC said.
The unified system, accessible through a single web portal, improves the overall passenger experience and enables the customs bureau to receive advanced information for effective risk profiling. Furthermore, timely information sharing with AMLC and BSP bolsters the nation’s commitment to combating money laundering and ensuring financial security, according to BOC.
“This collaborative initiative demonstrates our commitment to innovation and efficiency in customs management,” Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said. He also emphasized the E-Travel Customs System’s pivotal role in securing borders and fostering a seamless travel experience for all.
