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The government is looking to accredit testing, inspection and certification companies to implement the pre-border technical verification of imported commodities
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The accreditation is pursuant to Administrative Order No. 23, which directs the Bureau of Customs to implement the PTV and cross-border electronic invoicing system
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Applicants may secure the qualification requirements from the Department of Finance website
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Deadline for submission of requirements is on Feb 15
The government is looking to accredit testing, inspection and certification companies to implement the pre-border technical verification (PTV) of imported commodities.
The accreditation is pursuant to Administrative Order (AO) No. 23, which directs the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to implement the PTV and cross-border electronic invoicing (CEI) system.
READ: Marcos orders pre-border verification, e-invoicing for all imports
The qualification criteria, documentary requirements, and procedure for accreditation are available here. Deadline for submission of requirements is on February 15, 2025.
The Committee on Pre-border Technical Verification and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing (CPTVCEI), created under Administrative Order 23, will approve or disapprove an application for accreditation within 30 working days from receipt of the application with complete supporting documents.
Accredited testing, inspection, and certification companies (ATICC) must the possess legal, financial, and technical capabilities to implement the PTV.
ATICCs are expected to conduct PTV, specifically to test and inspect all commodities prior to exporting to the Philippines in order to ascertain declared specifications, description, weight, volume, and country of origin, and ensure the commodities are safe and of good quality, in accordance with the World Trade Organization Facilitation Agreement, and existing laws and regulations.
They will verify documents covering the goods to be exported to the Philippines within three working days from payment of service fees and notification by the exporter of the location of the goods.
Upon receipt of a notification from the concerned regulatory agency, the ATICC should be able to conduct applicable testing, on a case-to-case basis, for instances such as disease or pest outbreaks in the exporting country, and other health, safety, and environmental issues and concerns.
The ATICC will issue a digital Certificate of Conformity or a Discrepancy Report, whichever is applicable.
Within one month from the commencement of the program, the ATICC should submit to BOC a plan for a capacity-building program for stakeholders, and should conduct information campaigns outlining relevant information and processes for stakeholders.
According to AO 23, the PTV and CEI system are aimed at expediting the inspection of all imported goods entering the country and further strengthen national security, safeguard consumers’ rights, and protect the environment against sub-standard and dangerous imported goods.
AO 23 will be implemented by a joint administrative order (JAO), which underwent public consultation last year. The JAO — still on draft — will provide the roles and responsibilities of the CPTVCEI, the member agencies, importers, exporters, and ATICCs.
READ: Pre-border verification, e-invoicing of imports implementation underway
Aside from the JAO, BOC customs administrative orders signaling the implementation of the PTV and CEI system will also be published.
Under the draft JAO, all containerized agricultural products, non-agricultural products with health and safety issues, and other goods susceptible to misdeclaration to avoid duties and taxes as listed in the appendices of the draft JAO, are required to undergo PTV.
Goods that are already covered under the BOC Bulk and Break-Bulk Cargo Clearance Enhancement Program are exempted from PTV.
In response to a query during the public consultation, BOC Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group deputy commissioner Vener Baquiran clarified that the PTV only covers containerized shipments, thus exempting air shipments.
But all imported goods, whether by air or sea, will be subject to the CEI. The CEI will be used by a verified and registered foreign exporter to create export invoice on a single electronic platform controlled by the Philippine government. Those under the Bulk and Breakbulk Cargo Enhancement Program will also be subject to CEI.
Goods that have undergone PTV conducted by an ATICC and have been issued a Certificate of Conformity will be qualified for advance clearance procedure, subject to certain conditions.
Upon arrival of qualified importation, the importer may immediately cause the withdrawal of the shipment from the port upon presentation of proof of payment of duties and taxes, and any other documents required by Philippine laws, rules and regulations.
Goods without an e-invoice, have not undergone PTV, when required, and those that have been issued a Discrepancy Report due to discrepancies in the e-invoice will be considered high-risk subject to 100% physical inspection by the ATICC, concerned regulatory agency, and BOC, continuous underguarding until accomplishment and submission of a border technical verification report, other applicable control, and payment of duties, taxes, and penalties due on the shipment, including administrative fines.
Goods that have health and environmental issues will be exported back to the country of origin at the expense of the importer.
Failure to subject the shipment to PTV or CEI will face penalties.
PTV ATICCs may impose a fixed fee for each physical verification of goods in the countries of origin.
CEI ATICCs may impose a registration fee and fee for each invoice created by exporters on the cross-border e-invoicing portal. – Roumina Pablo
