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Foreign carriers are complying with the Bureau of Customs’ 90-day container dwell time policy, according to the Association of International Shipping Lines, Inc.
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BOC earlier said it sent a letter to AISL reiterating the strict enforcement of the 90-day container dwell time rule as part of ongoing efforts to address the issue of high utilization at Manila international terminals and empty container depots
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AISL president Patrick Ronas said “all lines are aware of this”
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Ronas said so far, empties at MICT are being loaded to ships for re-export, while Manila South Harbor’s Empty Loadout Shipping Alliance continues
Foreign carriers are complying with the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) 90-day container dwell time policy, according to the Association of International Shipping Lines, Inc. (AISL).
Shipping lines have been complying with Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 08-2019 and “all lines are aware of this” policy, AISL president Patrick Ronas told PortCalls in a Viber message.
BOC earlier said it sent a letter to AISL reiterating the strict enforcement of the 90-day container dwell time rule under CAO No. 08-2019. The move was part of ongoing efforts to address the issue of high utilization at Manila international terminals – especially for reefers – and empty container depots (ECDs).
Ronas said so far, empties at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) are being loaded to ships for re-export, while Manila South Harbor’s (MSH) Empty Loadout Shipping Alliance (ELSA) continues.
ELSA, an initiative that began in 2019, allows partner shipping lines to share vessel resources. The measure enables lines to immediately evacuate empty containers from MSH regardless of which shipping line owned the container.
According to BOC, MICT’s yard utilization in January and most of December 2025 was beyond 80% with high reefer utilization. For February, overall utilization was still beyond 80% while reefer utilization ranges from above 90-100%.
As of February 23, overall yard utilization at MICT was at 88.56% while reefer utilization was at 101.20%.
For MSH, January utilization rates ranged between 70%-80% from 60%-70% in December 2025. In February, utilization levels have improved to mostly around 70%, while reefer utilization was at more than 50%-60%.
As of February 26, overall yard utilization at MSH was at 78.80%, reefer utilization was at 55.51%, and bulk and breakbulk yard utilization at 54.72%.
The Alliance of Container Yard Operators of the Philippines, Inc. (ACYOP) told PortCalls on February 26 that utilization at their members’ container yards was still around 85-89% but manageable. It must be noted that not all container yards are members of ACYOP.
Under CAO NO. 08-2019 – which provides BOC’s policies on admission, movement, and re-exportation of containers at seaports – foreign containers (whether loaded or empty) need to be re-exported within 90 days from the discharge of the last package or they will be subjected to payment of duties and taxes.
Beyond 90 days, these will be considered overstaying and issued an assessment notice.
BOC said based on records, several empty containers have remained within port premises beyond the prescribed 90-day period.
Concerned shipping lines were directed to immediately file the necessary goods declaration and/or settle the corresponding duties, taxes, and other charges. Non-compliance may result in the initiation of appropriate enforcement measures in accordance with existing customs laws, rules, and regulations.
READ: Remove overstaying containers, BOC orders shipping lines
BOC said it has requested AISL – as a “key partner in trade facilitation and port operations” – to assist in notifying and coordinating with its member shipping lines to ensure the prompt movement and disposition of overstaying containers.
The removal of the containers is expected to free up terminal space and “help ease congestion at the Manila South Harbor and the Manila International Container Terminal,” BOC said.
Shipping lines that have already complied with the required goods declaration, payment of duties and charges, or re-exportation of the subject containers may disregard the notice, BOC noted.
Port stakeholders earlier sounded the alarm over the high utilization levels at MICT and MSH as well as in ECDs.
AISL earlier attributed the situation to “a convergence of seasonal, operational, and logistical factors observed since mid-December of last year.”
These include the traditionally extended holiday period in December, exacerbated by additional public holidays, including December 29 and January 2, that caused delays in cargo withdrawals; seasonal impact of Chinese New Year (February 17 this year); unprecedented surge in refrigerated cargo volumes coinciding with irregular and bunched vessel arrivals leading to high reefer yard utilization at both MICT and MSH; constraints at off-dock container depots; external operational conditions in January that intensified the local challenges such as congestion and vessel bunching in other parts of Southeast Asia; and restricted cargo movement such as traffic disruptions associated with major January activities, including the annual Traslación.
In addition to strict implementation of the 90-day container dwell time ruling, BOC is looking into tighter supervision and regulation of ECDs via the mandatory use of an automated inventory management system.
The digital system — now being worked on for possible implementation in May — requires booking of empties in ECDs, allowing the BOC to strictly monitor and generate real-time and accurate information capacity of ECDs, providing visibility over the facilities’ capacity, utilization and container dwell time.
READ: BOC eyes exempting SGL members’ reefer shipments from first-border inspection
BOC will also discuss with Department of Agriculture officials the possibility of freeing Super Green Lane (SGL) members’ reefer shipments from first-border x-ray and physical inspection carried out at the designated examination area, retaining only inspection at the final point of destination.— Roumina Pablo
