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The Convention on Temporary Admission (Istanbul Convention), also known as ATA Carnet System, will finally be implemented in the Philippines on July 15, 2024
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The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said this move aims to streamline and facilitate temporary exports and imports of goods, making cross-border trade more efficient and cost-effective for businesses
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PCCI said it is now accepting accreditation applications from businesses which intend to utilize the passport for goods
The Philippines will adopt the ATA Carnet System on July 15, 2024, according to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
“We are pleased to partner with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in launching the ATA Carnet system in the Philippines,” PCCI president Enunina Mangio said in a statement.
PCCI said the move aims to streamline and facilitate temporary exports and imports of goods, making cross-border trade more efficient and cost-effective for businesses.
The ATA Carnet system, also known as the Convention on Temporary Admission (Istanbul Convention), is an international scheme that allows the temporary admission and tax-free and duty-free importation of commercial samples, professional equipment, and articles for presentation or use in trade fairs, shows, and exhibitions.
The ATA Carnet, sometimes referred to as the “passport for goods,” is a single document that will pass through several customs territories and will be valid up to one year. ATA is an acronym of the French and English words “admission temporaire/temporary admission,” while carnets are referred to as “passports for goods” or “merchandise passports.”
Philippine businesses attending trade fairs and exhibitions in territories that are parties to the Convention are among those that are expected to benefit from its implementation.
The BOC issued Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 02-2022, later amended by CAO 01-2023, to provide the rules and regulations in implementing the ATA Carnet System in the Philippines.
READ: BOC sets rules to implement ATA Carnet
The International Chamber of Commerce has acknowledged PCCI as the National Issuing and Guaranteeing Association (NIGA) for ATA Carnet. Its appointment was endorsed by the Department of Finance through the BOC. The NIGA is the association affiliated to a Guaranteeing Chain and accredited by BOC to issue Temporary Admission Papers (TAP) and to guarantee the amount of security and other charges to be imposed. Only one NIGA is appointed by BOC.
TAPs, meanwhile, are international customs documents accepted as a customs declaration which makes it possible to identify goods and which incorporates an internationally valid guarantee to cover import duties and taxes.
In conjunction with the implementation of the ATA Carnet System, PCCI said it is now accepting accreditation applications from businesses which intend to utilize the passport for goods.
PCCI will also be scheduling a local workshop for exporters, industry associations, chambers of commerce, sports associations, film and entertainment organizers, and business professionals.
Businesses interested in obtaining accreditation and attending the local workshop for the ATA Carnet system are encouraged to contact PCCI for further information and assistance. – Roumina Pablo
