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The Bureau of Customs granted Western Digital Storage Technologies (Philippines) Corp. Level 1 accreditation under its Authorized Economic Operator Program
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WDSTPC, which manufactures storage solutions and components, joins eight other AEO members
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With the accreditation, WDSTPC gets Level 1 benefits, including exemption from renewal of accreditation, self-assessment, a dedicated help desk, and exemption from the E-TRACC System
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has granted Western Digital Storage Technologies (Philippines) Corp. (WDSTPC) Level 1 accreditation under its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)Program.
WDSTPC, which manufactures data storage solutions and components, joins eight other AEO members. These include Level 2 accredited Toyota Motors Philippines Corp., Panasonic Manufacturing Corp., and Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines, Inc.; Sony Philippines, Inc.; and Brother Industries (Phils.), Inc., as well as other Level 1 members Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., I.E. Medica, Inc., and Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp.
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Aside from these members, there are other companies that have been issued with pre-screening certificates, which means they demonstrated their readiness to apply for Level 1 accreditation.
With the accreditation, WDSTPC will be granted Level 1 benefits under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 09-2020 or the guidelines for the pilot implementation of the AEO program for importers and exporters, according to BOC Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) Memo No. 105-2026 dated July 7, 2026.
BOC in December 2019 launched its AEO Program in compliance with the country’s commitment to the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade.
The AEO Program represents a customs-to-business partnership that seeks to enhance international supply chain security and facilitate movement of legitimate goods. Implementation of the AEO program in the Philippines became possible in 2016 with the passage of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Once granted, accreditation under the AEO Program will last until suspended, revoked, or cancelled through voluntary withdrawal.
As an AEO Level 1 member, WDSTPC will be exempted from renewal of accreditation under any customs accreditation system.
In lieu of the annual renewal of accreditation, AEO members are only required to periodically update their information and corresponding documentary requirements pursuant to membership responsibilities of an AEO under CMO No. 09-2020.
AEO members with a satisfactory system for managing their trade documents may be allowed by BOC to use their trade documents to self-assess their duty and tax liability, where appropriate, to ensure compliance with other customs requirements. For this purpose, information declared by an AEO member in its goods declaration based on its self-assessment will be accepted by BOC.
A dedicated help desk will also be provided to assist WDSTPC on any customs-related concerns. AEO members will also be accorded recognition by BOC as trusted trade partners.
Moreover, WDSTPC’s shipments to and/or from freezones/economic zones are now exempted from the implementation of BOC’s Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo System.
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The AEO Office may motu proprio consider upgrading a Level 1 member to Level 2 or 3, depending on the AEO’s degree of compliance with the requirements of accreditation.
AEO members are, however, still subject to post-clearance audits to ensure compliance.
For now, only importers and exporters may seek accreditation for the AEO program but the BOC has said it is committed to expanding the program to other stakeholders in the supply chain, including freight forwarders, customs brokers, manufacturers, carriers and warehouses.
Interim AEO Office head Atty. Jenny Diokno earlier said the agency has drafted an executive order that will transition members of BOC’s Super Green Lane (SGL) Facility to become accredited under the AEO program. The intention is for the AEO program to eventually replace the SGL Facility.— Roumina Pablo
