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The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for the immediate signing of the proposed joint administrative order strengthening the Bureau of Customs’ lead role in implementing an inter-agency regulatory framework for international shipping lines, container yards, and other logistics service providers
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PCCI president Perry Ferrer emphasized the urgency of the measure, noting that excessive logistics costs have long eroded the competitiveness of Philippine enterprises
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PCCI said the proposed JAO directly addresses long-standing industry concerns such as non-transparent ancillary charges
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is calling for the immediate signing of the proposed joint administrative order (JAO) that aims to strengthen the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) lead role in implementing an inter-agency regulatory framework for international shipping lines, container yards, and other logistics service providers.
PCCI president Perry L. Ferrer in a statement emphasized the urgency of the measure, noting that excessive logistics costs have long eroded the competitiveness of Philippine enterprises.
“The JAO is a long-overdue solution to the excessive and non-transparent fees that have burdened our industries for years. We urge the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the other concerned agencies to finalize and sign the order without further delay. Every day of delay prolongs the burden on businesses and consumers,” Ferrer said.
READ: BOC eyes August approval of JAO on local shipping charges, yard utilization
PCCI noted the proposed JAO, which has completed its public consultation process and is now undergoing final review by the concerned government agencies, directly addresses long-standing industry concerns.
“For decades, Philippine enterprises have grappled with high logistics costs, non-transparent ancillary charges, and recurring port congestion—persistent constraints that have undermined the country’s trade competitiveness, increased the cost of doing business, and ultimately burdened Filipino consumers,” PCCI said.
The draft JAO, Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, during the agency’s 6th Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) general assembly and 12th Central CICAC meeting on August 6, said they are now consolidating all comments submitted by stakeholders on the proposed JAO, which they “will try” to have approved within August.
He earlier said the August target signing is “because we’re anticipating the cyclical occurrence of the port congestion beginning October.”
Under the draft JAO, which will provide guidelines on port yard utilization and transparency on charges in the handling of cargoes by customs third parties and other logistics providers, BOC will be the lead implementing agency.
PCCI noted that among its key provisions, the proposed JAO requires foreign shipping lines and other covered entities to report all applicable charges to BOC, which will standardize the nomenclature of logistics fees and oversee the regulation of allowable charges and fee limits under the framework.
It also mandates the refund of container deposits within 15 days from the return of containers and prohibits foreign shipping lines from withholding cargo over unpaid charges arising from separate transactions. In addition, pending the determination of a permanent benchmark, a 75% yard utilization threshold will guide the implementation of decongestion measures to improve port efficiency.
Ferrer expressed full confidence in the BOC’s capacity to lead the implementation of the new regulatory framework, citing the agency’s continuing reforms under Nepomuceno.
READ: BOC’s good governance reforms move forward with IAM Program
“Commissioner Nepomuceno’s reforms have helped foster a more transparent, predictable, and rules-based trading environment. We believe the Bureau of Customs is well-positioned to lead the implementation of this important reform, working closely with the other partner agencies,” Ferrer added.
Excessive logistics costs
PCCI vice president for industry Bryan Ang echoed the call, highlighting the tangible benefits the JAO would bring to Filipino businesses and households.
“By addressing excessive logistics costs and promoting greater transparency and accountability across the supply chain, this JAO responds to long-standing concerns raised by the business community. Its effective implementation will help businesses operate more competitively while ultimately benefiting consumers through more efficient and transparent logistics services,” Ang said.
Ang noted that over the years, the proliferation of numerous ancillary shipping charges has significantly increased the cost of importing goods, with some importers reporting logistics costs rising from around P30,000 to well over P100,000 per container.
“These additional costs are ultimately passed on to Filipino consumers through higher prices. The JAO is a critical step toward ensuring that logistics charges remain fair, transparent, and justifiable while strengthening the competitiveness of Philippine trade,” Ang explained.
The draft JAO is a revival and significant expansion of a 2019 proposal that aimed to regulate origin and destination charges imposed by foreign carriers operating in the Philippines and to ease port congestion. BOC Office of the Commissioner Deputy Chief of Staff Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo earlier said the new JAO “expressly provides provisions for the BOC to sort of be the lead agency” and will be “all-encompassing” — covering not just shipping lines but truckers, container yards, and other logistics providers.
PCCI reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with BOC and other government agencies to improve trade facilitation, address cargo congestion, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen customs administration for the benefit of Philippine enterprises and Filipino households alike.
PCCI said it believes the JAO is a critical first step toward comprehensive logistics reform that will enhance the country’s competitiveness, attract greater investment, strengthen supply chain resilience, and help lower the cost of goods for Filipino consumers.
The chamber also urged all concerned agencies “to seize this opportunity to deliver a more transparent, efficient, and globally competitive logistics system that supports sustainable economic growth and job creation.”
READ: PortCalls Special Report on Manila’s Cargo Crisis (Part 1) — When Sea and Air Feel the Squeeze
Manila’s Cargo Crisis (Part 2): Capacity Crunch at the Airport
